Sir - Mr Jefferson (Letters, November 23) asserts that the council has stopped sweeping the streets or collecting the leaves. None of us mind being told of shortcomings in the services for which we are responsible. Indeed, without such challenge and feedback we cannot fully appreciate everyone's view of particular issues.

In this case, the leaves are a seasonal issue and I have asked that the service delivery is reviewed to ensure a better focus on this activity in the short-term and that any change is incorporated into the schedules for future years.

I can assure you that all executive members' of Oxford City Council take our responsibilities very seriously and do our best to respond to complaints as fast as we can. However, there has not been the removal of essential services that Mr Jefferson alleges. The change to alternate week collections of waste and recycling has brought new challenges and we are working to resolve issues without impacting on other service delivery.

We are now increasing our attention and focus on those properties that have found difficulty in conforming to the scheme, such as flats and houses of multiple occupation, to ensure that they manage their waste effectively.

I would like to thank all those residents who are taking the trouble to sort their waste and thus both reduce what goes to landfill and increase our recycling rate to 40 per cent, so that we are now among the best councils in the country.

Jean Fooks, Executive member for a cleaner city, Oxford City Council