Austerity has been imposed upon Harrow residents by central government that has, year by year, reduced grants to local authorities, making it harder and harder to do more than provide the basic statutory services.

Harrow Borough Council cannot make up the missing millions by increasing council tax, as it is capped at two per cent, so in spite of pockets of extreme wealth in the borough, the council cannot provide the full range of services that I would expect in a civilised country.

In the long run, adding extra higher council tax bands might enable boroughs like Harrow to raise the money they need, but this would require legislation from central government.

Meanwhile, we must campaign for Harrow to receive a fairer share of the central government grant.

In this situation, which services would we wish the council to continue to provide without charging extra? Is the collection of garden waste our top priority?

Before the introduction of wheelie bins, we disposed of our garden waste by bonfires, composting, taking it to the civic amenity, or putting a little each week in our dustbin. We managed and could manage again.

I would prefer to pay for all council services through income tax and council tax, but if that does not yield enough income then I am willing to pay extra for my garden waste to be collected.

This is only a “garden tax” (Harrow Times front page, January 22) in the sense that waste collection should come out of the taxes we pay.

I hope Harrow Times readers will campaign for Harrow Council to receive higher tax income, through higher council tax bands and/or a more generous and fairer central government grant.

Jane Galbraith

Roxborough Road, Harrow