City councillor Jean Fooks (Oxford Mail, July 17), the City Works team and Oxford residents deserve a lot of credit.

Doubling the amount we recycle from 19 to 40 per cent in two years is a fantastic achievement.

But the Lib Dems' experimental scheme for food waste collection was half-baked.

Labour is postponing food waste collection until next year when there will be a commercial composting facility in Oxfordshire, which can accept kitchen waste. Our priority is clearing up the mess. Many readers have already contacted me about local grot spots'.

Readers should contact me on 01865 251441 or City Works on 01865 252900 to report overflowing bins and fly-tipping. We will clear up the mess and try to stop it happening again.

Labour's second priority is to improve rubbish collection for flats and maisonettes, as well as terrace houses that have no front gardens.

Thirdly, we want to introduce a streamlined recycling service. We hope it will be cheaper, better for the environment and easier for people to use. That streamlined service will include the collection of kitchen waste. Meanwhile, of course, City Works can advise on composting at home.

Labour has also scrapped the £5 charge for swapping to a smaller wheelie bin for mixed rubbish.

And we are waiving the £25 charge for a blue wheelie (for recycling) for elderly and disabled residents on assisted collections and some larger households.

JOHN TANNER (Councillor) Board member for a cleaner, greener Oxford Oxford City Council