OBVIOUSLY the amount of cuts have affected a lot of services this past few years and it is having an impact. 


But have we got too used to the council, the government or schools doing things for us that we have forgotten, or become too lazy to do some basic things for ourselves?


It is ridiculous how so few people pick up rubbish from in front of their houses and how often do you see people swilling the pavement and scrubbing their doorsteps. 


Take a bit of personal pride in the space around you and not expect someone to come and do it for you. 


It saddens me when I walk down a row of well looked after houses, only for the block to be spoiled by a couple of messy over-grown gardens, full of rubbish. 


Some people are happy to live like pigs but they should not let that impact on their neighbours. 


I don’t agree that the authorities only get involved if there is a health and safety concern. 


Some poor, house-proud people have their lives afflicted by messy neighbours and it is not on.


It is not just homes where people need to get their act together.
I was horrified walking around town the other day to see the amount of weeds growing out of the front of a couple of business premises. 


It looks messy and does not give a good impression.


Businesses should have to keep their properties presentable or should be billed for having them cleaned up.


E. Collins
Windlehurst