Perhaps it is the enormity of the challenges posed by recent floods, but I have been mulling over the important and honourable role local government can play in practically supporting the public when disasters strike.

Why bother about households drowning under floodwater, when – according to some councils – the real problem is that streets are awash with saliva, allegedly drowning under ‘piles of spit'.

Waltham Forest, Willesden and Hillingdon LBCs are bravely defending localities from tidal waves of spittle by banning people for spitting in public places, punishable by a £500 fine.

It is hard to defend councils when they indulge in such disproportionate regulation.

At its most ludicrous, Enfield LBC hit the headlines by warning local football teams that players could face prosecution for spitting on the pitch.

The letter sent to southern amateur league, Winchmore Hill, has been rightly derided in the media. It read: ‘We would like to remind you that the bylaw does provide authorised officers with the powers to prosecute those witnessed spitting.'

As captain of Enfield's Latymer Old Boys first XI pointed out: ‘This is completely unenforceable on a football pitch and quite frankly laughable' and anyway the offending ejections ‘all gets washed away by the end of the game'.