Bin charging ‘sham consultation’ criticised
LibDems delete non-charging option from waste consultation
Commenting on the launch of the consultation on South Gloucestershire Council’s proposed new Waste Strategy and the introduction of charging for the green bin collection service, Cllr James Hunt (Con, Emersons Green), Conservative Lead Member for Communities, said:
“We continue to be disappointed that the LibDems succeeded in deleting from this consultation the only option that did not involve charging for collecting the green bin.
There is an argument that home composting of garden waste is a cheaper and better alternative for the environment.
But the council will lose this argument if it’s seen to launch a sham consultation which allows the LibDems to spring green bin charging on an unsuspecting public with no option for dissenting voices at all.
Consultation and engagement need to be things which South Glos Council can be proud of and so residents should be consulted on the full range of options and have the pros and cons for each one explained.
If there are difficult choices councillors shouldn't shy away from discussing, informing and listening to their residents and they certainly shouldn't just remove difficult options from discussion.”
He added:
“Charging will almost certainly exceed the £350,000 savings requirement that the waste service has to achieve and so, if this going to be introduced, we’ll be pushing for the surplus to be used to protect our libraries and other important services.”