THE proposed changes to council bin collections for Brighton and Hove (The Argus, June 18) are effectively a cut in the service provided for many residents of our city and they fail to tackle the issue of low recycling rates in our area.

There is also the danger that, with fewer rubbish collections, there might be more overflowing communal bins and more "flytipping" of rubbish which will end up costing the city even more.

Recycling in this city is at a disappointingly low rate of 29 per cent, compared with the average for South East councils of 47.5 per cent, yet little is being proposed to rectify this by the "Green" council.

The decision by the Greens to end doorstep collections for recycling in some areas appears to have actually reduced the amount of waste that is being recycled because they have made the process more difficult for many people.

Collecting food waste on a weekly basis should provide a good opportunity to improve the rate of recycling in this city.

It is unlikely that an improved service will be achieved by cutting the refuse collection service.

Rob Heale

Chatham Place

Brighton