Waste collection debate continues

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Cabinet Member for Environment - food and garden option

The ongoing debate about collecting general waste once every three weeks continued on Wednesday (15 July) as councillors discussed the plans.

Rochdale Council Cabinet initially agreed the plans at a meeting in June after it was revealed that Rochdale is the worst performing authority in Greater Manchester in terms of recycling rates.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96669/council-cabinet-agree-proposal-to-collect-bins-once-every-three-weeks

Speaking at a council meeting on Wednesday, Councillor Neil Emmott said he fully supported the plans.

He said: “If people look back to 2007 when fortnightly collections were introduced under Wera Hobhouse, it is fair to say that I and the other Emmott in the room [Councillor Susan Emmott] were opposed to them. What concerned me in 2007 was that there were fewer collections, which then created smells, with that only being collected every two weeks.

“We are now returning to weekly collections of the rubbish that causes the smells.”

Councillor Andy Kelly questioned why the council was currently advertising for consultants to roll out the new service, when it is still out for public consultation.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96968/rochdale-council-advertising-for-consultants-to-help-deliver-new-waste-collections

He said: “What concerns me is not the use of consultants, but the length of time of the advertisement. Why advertise it if it is out for public consultation? It seems a wasted exercise or are we not bothered what people think?”

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Environment responded and stated that the council “can’t wait until October to decide what route to take.”

Councillor Terry Linden was also in support of the plans but wants to ensure that people living in flats and apartments have some way of recycling food waste.
He added: “I fully support what we are trying to do but for the next stage, can we ensure that people living in apartments and flats have some way of recycling their food waste, so it doesn’t have to go down the shared shoot into one waste collection.”

Councillor Allen Brett was also supportive of the plans and said: “I am fully in support of this proposal. We can’t postpone this and the people will decide but we can’t let rumours get in the way. We need to look at the facts.

“By not doing this we could be fined £2 million and that is 100 jobs or a 5% increase on council tax, so if there is anyone out there who wants to get rid 100 jobs or pay more council tax, then do it.

“This system reverts back to weekly food waste collections, which are what causes the maggots. Please let’s state the facts.”

Leader of the Conservative Party, Councillor Ashley Dearnley wants to see the council come up with a scheme that is best for Rochdale.

He said: “The Conservative group supports the need to improve recycling but in 2007 there was opposition to our scheme being brought in. We have taken our eyes off of the ball and recycling has suffered significantly and we need to improve that significantly.

“There are another nine authorities that do more recycling than we do but that doesn’t mean that Bury has the right solution for Rochdale. We need to look at other ideas and see what will benefit Rochdale.

“We need to get it right and come up with a solution that benefits Rochdale.”

The public consultation into how the council delivers its waste collection service ends on 1 August at 5pm.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/96750/have-your-say-on-how-the-council-delivers-its-new-collections