So Guy Fawkes night approaches and the kill joys are all over us justifying their jobs. They actually have no interest in our health nor our safety but solely in their own job defence. Local clubs forced into raising money because the council can't afford to help due to the massive explosion in spend on their administration and expenses, are now being told they can't hold a bon-fire because they would have to pay for special services just in case. Sparklers are banned due to H&S. The council employs special people to knock down conkers from trees so that the kids won't hurt themselves (or rather their parents won't sue the council).

When will people actually stand up and be counted? We are being gently pushed down a road where the state interference actually exceeds that of Nazi Germany! If you are told not to put paper in the grass bin , then put paper in it! (I do EVERY time). Eventually the councils will be forced to relent by the sheer weight of public pressure.

Only vote for councillors who will do something about it. E-mail them, write to them, tell them that unless they publicly state that they will stand for any rate payer who is prepared to fight the state then do not vote for them.

They can be beaten. I send mine an invoice every month for council support activities such as black bag preparation, bottle management for the same as the rates they charge. Why should it all be one way?