A QUICK story to show why the council’s bin changes are an utter farce: Last night, I was pulling the food waste bag out of its wee caddy and it burst as I went to tie it, food splattering all over the floor.

Drained from a long day’s work, I swept up the mess and put it all in my black binbag and took that out.

This is a long way of saying that you can’t simply hope to influence people’s behaviour solely by penalising non-compliance with a system in which they have no say.

It’s fine for councillors (some of whom get paid to doss about on boozy jaunts to Edinburgh, or attend a Paul Simon concert) to make these decisions to pass on SNP cuts, but people have to live with the disgusting consequences of them.

Give us free food recycling bags on demand (as in neighbouring Renfrewshire), more frequent blue and food waste collections and invest in our recycling capabilities and communications.

We can’t take more cuts or more filth in our homes. Something has to give.

A Conway

Garngad

READERS gave their view on homeschooling, via our Facebook page. Here’s a selection of comments...

CAN you tell me how parents are supposed to balance a job and homeschooling?

Nicola Smith-Quinn

WE are managing homeschooling very well.

School is amazingly supportive and providing more than enough work and interaction from teachers etc.

Our child has a full timetable Monday to Friday. He is P4. And progressing amazing.

Clair Cunningham

MY son’s school has been amazing, he’s getting on great in P5.

Interaction from his teacher throughout the day and the school phone to check in and see how everything is going.

He is definitely progressing.

Lynn Anderson

I HAVE two kids with different disabilities and trying to teach them is hard work, so stressful and the online work is a joke.

My daughter has dyslexia and was already behind and wanted her kept back a year, now with lockdown she’s even more behind and is suppose to be going to high school this year.

Natalie Reynard

I’M enjoying getting to see what my kids are working on and getting involved in their learning.

I can also see their independence developing. Yes they miss their friends and “normality” but it’s a needs-must situation which they accept and are making the best of.

Lynne Dee

I’M giving up homeschooling for lent!

Kim Smith

I HAVE a five-year-old boy in P1 and it started off with tears and tantrums.

Now we’re a few weeks in he knows it’s his daily routine and just gets on with it.

His handwriting is a lot better from when we first started and his teacher has commented on this too.

So I think we’re doing well considering. I suffer from anxiety and find it so stressful some days where he puts up a fight and it ends up in tears (usually Mondays) but we manage it in the end.

Angela Hill

I AM enjoying being at home with my four children, three of school age, and re-engaging with their education.

We have been having a fab time learning new skills along the way. I’m no teacher but I’m 100% giving it my best.

We finish at 4pm sometimes but that’s ok.

We’ve found a way that suits. Good luck to everyone – find a way that suits your own family.

Nelsonxox Dianaxox

MY two are doing very well and I’m pleased with outcome so far.

Nicola McGroarty McLeish

WE are all at breaking point! Not just children.

I fear more for the parents. Children are very resilient and will bounce back I’m sure.

Stuart Ferris

MY daughter is doing great with homeschooling. No worries there.

Margaret McGill