They also believe they can make a stronger case for new collection authority now that the SSUTA, which is designed to harmonize and simplify sales tax laws, is finally operating.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Crawford's collection is in the care of Western Isles local authority, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

BBC: New study of Western Isles' sand dune-buried artefacts

They are perfectly happy to let the Syiems carry on with their cultural functions. (Most senior officials including the Chief Minister and the Governor of Meghalaya turned up at the Nongkrem dance.) But when it comes to the actual business of governance, such as law enforcement or revenue collection, they are a little patronizing about the authority of the Syiems.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | A Royal Tribe Under Threat

Plymouth's unitary authority city council is also believed to be involved in the waste collection talks.

BBC: Rubbish

The 4, 700-member Direct Marketing Association is fighting any new authority for the states, arguing the SSUTA has barely reduced the tax collection burden presented by 7, 500 different sales jurisdictions.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Labour's Stephen Pound raised the case of his local authority, Ealing Council, which he said had made sure all rubbish collection lorries had triple mirrors fitted to ensure "complete visibility".

BBC: MPs urge safety drive for UK's cyclists

Carol Foster, from Shropshire Council, said the authority was powerless to control the collectors because they operated "outside of the street collection legislation".

BBC: Controls possible for Shrewsbury 'chuggers'

The U.K. response to this crisis in tax collection is more commonplace: It is currently midway through a program of making a quarter of employees in its tax authority redundant.

FORBES: Magazine Article