SIR, — The pledge by St Albans District Council (Herts Advertiser, October 16) to help us in the current economic turmoil is welcomed. The best way is to maximise help with the minimum of cost. One sure way, which would be cost neutral, is to offer to rem

SIR, - The pledge by St Albans District Council (Herts Advertiser, October 16) to help us in the current economic turmoil is welcomed. The best way is to maximise help with the minimum of cost. One sure way, which would be cost neutral, is to offer to remove - and recycle, of course - all our obsolete dustbins (letters October 16). This could be done once we have all received the new bins by announcing a specific day for collection. The council would more than pay for the cost by the value of the plastic or metal.

Another cost neutral way is obviously to delay the rather profligate ideas - at this time - of revamping Verulamium Park and Westminster Lodge. Well done Heritage Lottery Fund for querying the validity of the begging bowl - jogging paths, internet zone, climbing wall indeed, what's heritage about that? During the delay, freeze the council tax and, most importantly, rents.

Should our gambling friends, Herts County Council, ever get their money back from Iceland - or the taxpayer via the Government - perhaps the holiday in local tax rises could be prolonged.

P. H. FIELD,

St Stephens Avenue, St Albans.