SIR – Is the casual inclusion in your council tax demand envelope of a permit requirement to use your local recycling centre the start of a waste surveillance system? It took us all, including some senior councillors, by surprise.

Have a look closer at your council tax demand and another surprise appears.Equally casually the Council has decided to close all its cash payment facilities.

Many residents find cash payments a useful benefit, particularly those on low or infrequent incomes.

The only way now to make payments is by direct debit and debit card. Many poor people do not have this facility, instead Post Office or Council bank accounts. The latter two have conditions and will cost you extra cash.

Apparently no thought has been given to the use of local paypoint outlets in the Council’s drive to force through its preferred payment method of direct debit.

Pay up and pay extra is the Council’s attitude in these hard financial times.

R J Lacey, Wrose Road, Bradford