The last paragraph of Voice Of The Argus (October 10) on Brighton and Hove refuse collection must have been a tongue-in-cheek triumph of hope over experience.

The Hollingdean depot workforce has now seen off its third private-sector employer and had starting badmouthing the potential fourth before it had even taken over.

During the Sita reign, Brighton and Hove City Council demonstrated it was impossible for any contractor to dismiss staff as, in order to have an unofficial strike called off, it forced Sita to reinstate workers it had dismissed.

The message to any potential contractor is clear: Only take on the contract at a price that allows for all the vexatious behaviour the council seems to think is normal industrial relations.

The council deserves the contract back, so sit back and watch the workforce act.

They will want to revert to their former work practice under the council of task and finish, which the contractors would not concede.

Their union will promptly put in for improved pay and conditions of service.

Strange to say, after the above whinge, I do not begrudge paying for what I, as a council taxpayer, regard as a real front-line service of benefit to the whole community.

The council must address its waste of our money on many other quasi-front-line services of benefit only to non-council taxpayers and non residents and, especially, all its own self-publicity.

Who needs to be told how wonderful the council is - in 15 languages?

-Name and address supplied