"Regrettably, the announcement was made without an assessment of the costs and benefits, or a plan or timetable for managing the process, or an indication of what alternative payment instruments might need to be created, " the letter said.

BBC: Cheque use given backing by government minister

It also agreed that a "plan B" needs to be prepared as an alternative to the waste incinerator to process the council's household waste.

BBC: Javelin Park waste incinerator decision 'to be defended'