Labour councillors have voted to end weekly bin collections in Merton without considering the consequences for local residents. Despite having pledged in 2014 to protect the weekly refuse collection, at a meeting of the Sustainable Communities scrutiny panel last Thursday (9th June 2016) Labour councillors simply waved through the Cabinet’s plans to scrap weekly collections as part of their proposals to roll out multiple wheelie bins to households in the borough.
After raising various concerns about the impact for residents of what is being proposed, Conservative councillors moved a motion calling on the Labour administration to think again and to find alternative savings to maintain the current weekly bin service. However this was voted down by all of the Labour members of the panel.
Merton Conservatives’ spokesman for Transport, Parking and Cleaner Streets, Cllr Daniel Holden said:
“Whatever spin they try to put on it, Labour are ending the weekly bin collection, breaking their own manifesto commitment to protect this service. Merton residents will now have to put their household rubbish in four different containers, clogging up kitchens, front gardens and street fronts.
“Weekly bin collections are being ended without a proper assessment of the impact it will have on residents; especially the elderly, disabled and those living in smaller homes and flats. There is also a worrying lack of clarity on the financial savings this proposal will deliver.
“As with cuts to adult social care and the £5million of savings that Labour have failed to deliver, residents are once again paying the price for Labour’s mismanagement.
“We will continue to challenge the council to find value for money alternatives that work for residents.”
Note to Editors:
1) During the 2014 local election campaign, Labour leaflets explicitly pledged “a weekly rubbish collection with Labour”. One of their 5 ‘promises for the next 4 years’ stated: “We will collect your rubbish each week and fight off the pressure to move to fortnightly or monthly collections”.
2) Under the Labour Cabinet’s proposals, each household would have one wheelie bin for non-recyclable household waste; one wheelie bin for paper and card; a box or re-sealable bag for plastics, glass and cans; and a food waste caddy. Household waste would only be collected fortnightly and the two recycling containers would only be emptied on alternate weeks.
3) A final decision on whether to proceed with the changes is due to be taken by the Labour Cabinet at its meeting on 4th July 2016.
4) Merton Conservatives’ 2014 election manifesto also contained a clear pledge to “keep a weekly bin collection” stating: “A weekly bin collection service is vital and we are committed to maintaining it”.
If you wish to speak to Cllr Daniel Holden, please contact him on 07775 938437.