Why didn't anyone tell us of Easter change?

The comment comes in response to a questioner on his Ask The Leader slot on the council's www.rother.gov.uk website.

The householder had complained that they had received no notice of any change at Easter. The leader says this year's method of communication has not been as successful as those in previous years.

But he says it was cheaper.

The questioner says: "I left my bin out on our normal collection day, since I received no notice of any change following the Easter break.

"The bin wasn't collected.

"Upon ringing your recycling number, I was told that there was a notice in the local paper.

"I explained that we did not take the local paper and that all my neighbours had left their bins out too.

"I was also told that the information could be found online but I don't regularly visit the Rother web site.

"Previously, the bin men have left a notice of changes resulting from holidays. Are we now expected to subscribe to the local paper, along with the attendant cost, in order to be sure of benefiting from Rother's now-diminished refuse collection service?"

The leader says: " As you say the Bank Holiday changes during 2007 were communicated to residents individually to each property whereas in previous years changes were only publicised in local newspapers and the council's website.

"In common with previous years, the Easter 2008 collection arrangements were again only publicised in local newspapers, the Rother Council website and via parish magazines and / or noticeboards.

"I accept that this form of more general communication with residents has not been as successful as direct communications with households but obviously the cost is far lower.

"We are reviewing our methods of communication this year to ensure that residents are aware of when and where changes will be publicised, in the meantime I would refer you to the council's website Homepage for the most up to date information regarding services."

The comment comes in response to a questioner on his Ask The Leader slot on the council's www.rother.gov.uk website.

The householder had complained that they had received no notice of any change at Easter. The leader says this year's method of communication has not been as successful as those in previous years.

But he says it was cheaper.

The questioner says: "I left my bin out on our normal collection day, since I received no notice of any change following the Easter break.

"The bin wasn't collected.

"Upon ringing your recycling number, I was told that there was a notice in the local paper.

"I explained that we did not take the local paper and that all my neighbours had left their bins out too.

"I was also told that the information could be found online but I don't regularly visit the Rother web site.

"Previously, the bin men have left a notice of changes resulting from holidays. Are we now expected to subscribe to the local paper, along with the attendant cost, in order to be sure of benefiting from Rother's now-diminished refuse collection service?"

The leader says: " As you say the Bank Holiday changes during 2007 were communicated to residents individually to each property whereas in previous years changes were only publicised in local newspapers and the council's website.

"In common with previous years, the Easter 2008 collection arrangements were again only publicised in local newspapers, the Rother Council website and via parish magazines and / or noticeboards.

"I accept that this form of more general communication with residents has not been as successful as direct communications with households but obviously the cost is far lower.

"We are reviewing our methods of communication this year to ensure that residents are aware of when and where changes will be publicised, in the meantime I would refer you to the council's website Homepage for the most up to date information regarding services."