Liberal Democrat Councillors on North Somerset Council are accusing ruling Tory Councillors of performing a U turn on the issue of fortnightly refuse collections across the district.

North Somerset Councillors are discussing the new waste contracts which will run from March next year for the next seven years. All the likely options for changing the present system include fortnightly rubbish collections.

Liberal Democrat Leader and Environment Spokesperson Cllr Deborah Yamanaka said “I am astounded that the ruling Conservative group are breaking their election promises like this. In May 2007 they delivered leaflets saying 'No to Fortnightly Rubbish Collections', and then more leaflets later saying 'Still Say No to Fortnightly Rubbish Collections'. In May 2008 the Leader Nigel Ashton personally told me that he would not bring fortnightly collections in. Can residents now believe anything that the Conservatives say?"

The options for the new contracts also include weekly food waste collections and weekly or fortnightly recycling collections, possibly taking plastics. Green garden waste collections will probably stay as they are now. Bids for the options are still confidential and will be decided at a full Council meeting on 13th October.

Cllr Yamanaka added “I am not against fortnightly rubbish collections provided that food waste and recyclable items are collected weekly. What I am against is the Tories' hypocrisy in scaremongering about fortnightly collections at the 2007 elections and their U turn now. I am also worried that it will be more difficult to persuade residents to accept these changes because the Tories camapaigned against them 2 years ago."

ENDS

published by: North Somerset Liberal Democrats, 12 Henley Lodge, Yatton, Bristol, BS49 4JQ

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