Democracy seems to have disappeared from the Vale of White Horse District Council.

In terms of the new Vale waste contract and the seemingly inevitable introduction of alternate weekly or fortnightly collections, we have yet to hear from councillor Jerry Patterson why consultation with the residents of the Vale did not take place and why he, as the then council leader, thought it would be appropriate to use the consultation of our neighbouring district council as the basis for implementing his policy on the residents of the Vale of White Horse.

This multi-million-pound contract is the largest contract for services that the Vale will agree, so before he hides behind the unsubstantiated argument of it being too expensive to consult, perhaps he could inform the residents how much was too much?

What was the cost he was given for asking the residents who elected us what services they would like?

When does democracy become too expensive for Mr Patterson and the Liberal Democrats?

Perhaps the new leader of the Vale will suddenly see the wisdom that public consultation must be properly undertaken, but then again, judging from the Liberal Democrat track record, I very much doubt if he will.

GARETH JENNINGS (Councillor) Conservative Kennington and South Hinksey Vale of White Horse District Council