Fines for waste IT’S distressing that Southampton University student Michael Shields puts up such a poor argument for the Tories (letters 6 January). Liberal Democrat run Cardiff council most certainly has not ‘fined people for not recycling enough’. The truth is they fined people for littering, leaving dog mess, and flytipping; also for leaving out bin bags not due for collection, so adding to the litter problem when they're ripped open by rats or foxes.

None of this has anything whatsoever to do with pay-as-you-throw, a government initiative which hasn't even been piloted yet, let alone taken up by Cardiff or anywhere else. Mr Shields really needs to get his facts right.

I hope he will reassure his worried 'friend' in Cardiff that the Lib Dem council is not spying on the contents of his bin in order to fine him. They're just very keen to prevent his local environment from being totally messed up by flytipping, littering lawbreakers.

Cllr Jill Baston, Leader Liberal Democrat Group, Southampton City Council.