Liberal Democrats call for Communal Bin scrutiny

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 3rd Feb 2004

Lib Dem councillors say that the way the city centre communal bin pilot has been consulted on and introduced should be scrutinised. Cllr Dawn Davidson is making the call following widespread concerns by residents over the implementation of the scheme.

Dawn Davidson, Councillor for Regency ward said:

"It has become increasingly apparent that since the pilot scheme was first announced that residents have been particularly aggrieved by what they perceived was a totally inadequate and flawed consultation process. Leaving aside the resistance to this scheme anyway, the main complaint has been that few residents felt that had been made fully aware of the scheme or involved in any meaningful way in contributing comments that would have assisted CityClean in the early stages of implementation."

"A proper consultation involving all parties would have prevented some of the recent demonstrations such as at the last Council meeting and the Environment Committee. The majority of these residents do not have a problem with the collection of rubbish and this would have become apparent if meaningful consultation had occurred. This would perhaps have influenced the decision regarding which roads should be included in any pilot scheme."

Lib Dem City Council Group Leader Paul Elgood added:

"Residents are still extremely concerned over the way this has been undertaken. It deserves a thorough examination and lessons learnt."

A decision will be made by the council's OSOC committee on whether to undertake this investigation.