I RECEIVED a reply from the council recently about their having to make difficult financial decisions to balance the council’s budget.

I still feel they don’t listen or understand what areas are important to the York residents, regarding what we are already being charged for.

The Minster Badge was given to us for being a York resident paying council tax; now it’s been singled out, reinvented, and re-introduced at a premium charge, per car.

Now they are going down a similar route with the green waste bin. First, they have hoodwinked us into a limited service for six months (nine would be more useful); then we were issued a sticker identifying our “free” bin that is part of the collection service.

Now we have been told to expect the service to be reduced again, but we will now be charged for the service.

This may encourage more bonfires or fly tipping...

So maybe the new motto for City of York Council is “less costs more”?

J Townend-Whattam Westlands Grove, York.