Letter to the Editor - Heywood Advertiser -

Heywood councillors refuse to discuss recycling. As Cabinet member for the Environment I attended last week's Heywood Township meeting to hear councillor's views on the important issue of introducing Alternate Weekly Collections in Heywood.

But to my astonishment Heywood Councillors refused to consider the issue.

The Council has for years failed to reach government set recycling targets but for the first time this year we are likely to reach our targets thanks to the introduction of Alternate Weekly Collections in the Pennine parts of the Borough. The success of Alternate Weekly Collections is unquestionable. After a few teething problems and some original concerns the vast majority of residents have come on board, recycling has increased considerably whilst landfill waste has reduced substantially.

Therefore in order to keep up with ever higher targets and to avoid large sums in penalties and landfill tax - we are talking tens of millions of pounds - the Council is now proposing to roll out the scheme across the Borough starting in June with Heywood, Castleton and Bamford.

But Heywood councillors refused to discuss the proposals. Why?

Our experience in Pennines shows how important it is to involve local people and communities in the detailed organisation of the scheme - for example, residents need to be fully informed about what can be recycled, and how; what size of bins they want or whether residents want to join together and share recycling bins or go to bring sites. Or what are the best options for blocks of flats, sheltered housing, households with assisted or rural collections.

Surely it is in the interest of local people to be involved sooner rather than later. Surely local people need to be consulted and have the opportunity to discuss their options and concerns with their elected representatives. How can this be done properly if Heywood councillors refuse to plan properly for the June launch?

The chair of Heywood Township, Colin Lambert, continuously demands equal treatment for all Townships across the Borough. What about equal responsibilities?

The people of Heywood have got a bad deal, not because Heywood is offered fewer opportunities or given fewer funds but because some of their local representatives shy away from open discussion, transparency and responsibility.

Cllr Wera Hobhouse

Cabinet Member for the Environment