I FEEL I must voice my concerns through your column if I may, with regard to a great problem which faces us all in the district: 'illegal dumping'.

The point is, the city council has in operation a weekly collection of household refuse, there is also a special collection service available which only requires a telephone call to be made and this service is free to domestic households.

Many of the constituents in my Ward tell me this arrangement works well and is well worth using. It may take a little time, but matters do get attended to.

To get to my main point, in my Ward we have a small grassy spot we call "Grassy Bank", this leads up to York playing field. In springtime, when the trees are in bud and the flowers start to bloom, it really is a pretty spot. Unfortunately we are now getting rubbish dumped there.

When I first became a councillor, I managed to secure refuse bins and 'No Dumping' signs in this area. But recently, I have had to contact city contract services requesting that rubbish be removed, who, I believe, already have a mammoth task in all areas more or less, clearing up.

This week we have had bags of rubbish, carpets and even a door frame dumped. I think people should be warned this is illegal dumping and that a person can actually be prosecuted if caught offending. Maybe the offenders are not aware that the course of action can happen.

I know residents in the immediate areas are very angry at this unsightly dumping. I personally often tidy up this small spot, as do many other people in their own areas. We do this because we care for the environment and how the district appears to others, especially the many tourists who visit the area.

If the general public could be a bit more considerate to others, as well as to the council workmen who have to be called to clear the dumped materials, it would be a combined effort all round. It would then be a better place for all concerned. Here's hoping!

Cllr Sheila Denwood

Scotfoth West Ward