[Tealeaf]

Ken, this has got to be wrong. People's pathways and driveways are their own private property; as such, it is their responsibility to keep them clear (or not, if they so wish). Stocks of grit held by the council should be for public use only and on the basis of need (I can see a case for distributing grit to pensioners or to those on wheels or using sticks); but allocating the stuff according to the type of house you live in and for private consumption cannot be right and as such I would suggest you take this further as to the legality of the action.