The 'Great Waste Debate' launched by the Mayor, Tony Egginton, last November with the intention of getting the views of residents across the district on whether they wanted to see a return to weekly collections of household waste is a classic example.

Fewer than 1,300 people bothered to complete the survey that was sent out to every household. Scarcely a representative sample from which to draw any conclusions, one might have thought.

Yet, from his reaction, the Mayor clearly sees the exercise as not only worthwhile, but a clear endorsement of the council's controversial fortnightly rubbish collection policy.

Perhaps he should not be surprised therefore if cynics see things rather differently. After all, wasn't the reinstatement of weekly bin collections during the summer months for the next four years one of his key pledges when seeking re-election last May (subsequently withdrawn because there was no money for it)?

And shouldn't he have appreciated when he made it that it was most unlikely there would be sufficient fundingt Not to mention finding himself on shaky ground when making the assertion that he would support the view put forward by the majority of residents who responded to his Great Waste Debate survey.

What do you think? Click below to have your say.