Where I live, collection of garden waste (grass cuttings, etc.) is not part of the Council Tax; you have to pay a separate surcharge for it.

This is perfectly fine - no reason that those of us fortunate enough to be able to afford a house should expect our outdoor space to be subsidized by those who live in flats etc.

However.

About two years ago, I set up a Direct Debit for my garden bin. The bin itself was duly dropped off, and I looked forward to never having to think about it again.

And last week? This passive-aggressive pink hanger was left on my un-emptied garden bin:

Silly notice on bin

About 80% of the neighbouring houses had one too, suggesting I was not the only one to miss the council scrapping the Direct Debit scheme and replacing it with one where you have to buy a permit sticker online and pay for it by card, every 12 months.

Why? Why? Why change a winning formula. FFS.