At a time when Bradford Council is being forced to consider just what is and what isn’t essential in the services it provides, the last thing anyone needs is unnecessary expenditure.

Yet, in the last year, the Council has been forced to spend £320,000 on removing rubbish abandoned by fly-tippers and cleaning up these impromptu dumping grounds.

There are a lot of “invisible” costs to the public purse such as this – removing graffiti and dealing with the unsightly mess left by chewing gum are others.

While no-one would suggest that these things do not fall into the Council remit, they are avoidable strains on finances.

If people have more pride in their own communities then this is money that would not have to be spent – and could instead be directed at ensuring vital services are not underfunded in swingeing and enforced cuts.

We cannot on the one hand complain about Council cuts and on the other refuse to take responsibility for getting rid of our own waste sensibly and legally.

The cost of cleaning up and the time and effort put into prosecuting those responsible are resources that could be better used elsewhere for the good of the district.

We have been told that “we’re all in this together” – but that only works if we all play our part.