SIR – I must take exception to your comment (July 5) that in the respect of litter clear-up the days of the council doing everything for us are over. If that is the case then what are people paying their council tax for?

The real problem here is the stealth reduction in the Cleaner and Greener service that Labour have ideologically decided to keep in house. They have obliterated £400,000 of savings a year and now the truth is telling that outsourcing was the right way to go because they cannot run the department themselves.

We have councillors and public volunteers having to clear up litter in parks, I personally had to sweep up broken glass from a pavement that had been there for weeks and had injured at least one resident’s dog. Parts of Warndon Villages are like a jungle, forcing people to walk in the road because some paths are impassable. Oh, and surprise surprise, just like last time Labour were in control, parts of Astwood cemetery are starting to look unwieldy AGAIN!

One council employee was brave enough to come to me and say there are days where only 40 per cent of lawnmowers are in use despite the grass growing at its fastest at this time of year.

People have the right to expect maximum value for every pound of tax paid, something that Labour has once again proved themselves incapable of delivering. Their blind ideology is seeing every taxpayer in Worcester short-changed. I await a public apology from Labour on this matter.

Alan Feeney

City councillor,

Warndon Parish North

Trainers are not suitable

SIR – It’s disturbing that personal trainers might soon be in the NHS for obese and diabetic people.

Since 2002, I’ve assessed 2,648 personal trainers and each year, perform between 20 to 30 ‘expert witness’ roles in personal injury litigation involving them. I’m a biomechanist with 47 years in exercise, injury and nutrition.

All personal trainer courses are far too short, containing no credible exercise/injury biomechanics training at all; so from day one, highly significantly deficiencies exist. One good example of what gym/ health club members never realise, is that anyone with no experience whatsoever, can take a five-day gym instructor course, followed by just 30 hours of gym work, followed by the two-day GP referral course.

This then openly and officially, qualifies them to take charge of medically vulnerable people from GP practices, and it’s actually happening now.

Would you be happy if someone in your family with diabetes or significant weight/health problems was being instructed by someone of this background? Would you allow a dentist with such training to work on your teeth?

Alan Gordon

Worcester

Council need to take action

SIR – Although specific details are scarce, it is likely that the discovery of a body inside a tent near New Street represents the first death of a rough sleeper in Worcester since the city council decided to cut the value of its homeless prevention contracts by some two thirds.

The previous Tory administration then awarded the contract to providers CCP who have committed themselves to no more than providing a ‘light touch’ – whatever that means – as far as rough sleepers are concerned.

It is inevitable that with no effective support the number of rough sleepers on the city’s streets will increase, together with the many social problems associated with this.

Indeed, even to the most casual observer it is clear that this has already begun to happen.

The new city council needs to take steps now to assure that support for rough sleepers is targeted, effective and sustained.

Unless this happens then it is likely that this unfortunate tragedy won’t be the last.

Robbie Porter Chair,

Worcester City Community Engagement Forum

Revamped area is dull

SIR – It is a shame that the St Martin’s Quarter development has not fully enhanced the area.

Although Sports Direct were fined and instructed to remove their ‘temporary’ sign it is still in place.

In addition to this eyesore I see that The Bed Centre now has a neon advertising sign in the window and the mobile generator with its resplendent screen continues to dominate by the crossing.

Even the coffee premises would benefit from some thoughtful screening and real or faux foliage.

I find the area stark and utilitarian, we should have more pleasant areas in the city like Reindeer Court or the very clean Crowngate Centre.

C D LEE

Worcester

Tell us what happens now

SIR – Now that we are leaving the EU, will the EU immigrants here who have been claiming child benefit to send home now have these payments stopped and will they have to pay for NHS care?

Does anyone know?

Or do we have to wait for politicians to stop quarrelling like children and for one of them to step forward and lead this country?

MRS C BAYLISS

Worcester