The Progressive Group on Exeter City Council - made up of Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors - have accused the Labour-led Council of 'dither and delay' over the introduction of kerb-side collections of food waste and glass for recycling. The Council has agreed to trial collections in one area of the city in the autumn [1], but the Progressive Group say the delay in introducing a city-wide roll out is unacceptable.
Green Councillor and co-leader of the Progressive Group, Diana Moore, said:
"The introduction of kerb-side collections of food waste was in Labour's manifesto as far back as 2016. Council approved a scheme for food and glass collection in October 2019. Then during the local election campaign this year, Labour pledged to introduce collections in the Autumn. Now we learn that it is only a pilot food waste collection scheme, in only one area. We need to be sure that the scheme will work in all areas, in particular the city centre that will be more challenging to collect from."
Green Councillor Amy Sparling added:
"Whilst it is excellent that Exeter residents produce less waste compared to other areas, only a tiny proportion - currently 26% - is recycled [2]. Measures to improve the recycling rates through the introduction of kerbside food waste and glass collection are clearly urgently needed."
Liberal Democrat councillor, Michael Mitchell, said:
"The delay is being blamed on lack of guidance from central government, changes in people's habits and lessons from neighbouring authorities, but there's no certainty about when a full roll-out of the new recycling collections will take place. When asked, the Portfolio holder was unable to say when the service would be extended to all areas of the city following the trial.
Progressive Group co-leader, Cllr Kevin Mitchell, concluded:
"Labour are recycling excuses rather than recycling people's waste. I can guarantee that if a Progressive Group councillor had been in charge of implementing kerb-side food waste and glass collections, and there had been this much dither and delay, Labour would have been calling for their resignation."
Responding to the Government only giving NHS staff a 3% pay rise, Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newton Abbot and Councillor for Dawlish, said:
"This is a slap in the face to NHS heroes who have put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe.
We all remember seeing the horrific scenes of the burning tower at Grenfell on the news over four years ago.
The tragic loss of 72 lives was a dark moment for our country and the cladding scandal that emerged emboldened me to stand up for the rights of all those living in unsafe buildings.
That event also was a lightning rod for the wider public and put a sharp focus on the quality of housing that many people live in - particularly in more densely populated urban areas.
Being involved in politics should be fun and rewarding. But it can be stressful and at times any of us may need to turn to others for help or support.
Often that support can best come from colleagues in your local party or a party body you are active in. But sometimes help is needed elsewhere, and this piece sets out the main places to turn.
A compulsory purchase order to enable the vital Dawlish link road will be announced at Devon County Council cabinet today (14th July 2021), after years of landowner squabbling.
Martin Wrigley, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Newton Abbot and Councillor for Dawlish, said:
"This proposal to acquire the land to build the much needed link road in Dawlish is very welcome.
