Archived News page 3 of 4. (Scroll down to read if required)
For the record - Halton doesn't support 'pay as you throw' schemes. (March, 2010) (Scroll to read)
Some people may have read articles in the media about chips being fitted to refuse bins across the UK which are allegedly part of some sinister govt plan to introduce a 'pay as you throw' scheme in the future.
Just for the record, Halton Council has rejected 'pay as you throw' for household waste collections and will continue to do so. Halton Council is also still committed to weekly collections of waste and we don't fine people for not recycling. Recycling in Halton is voluntary, unlike Lib Dem run Brent Council for instance. In Lib Dem run Brent you can face a fine of up to £1,000 for not recycling.
Halton Council's black domestic waste bins do not have chips fitted to them. ' Pay as you throw ' schemes of course only apply to general domestic waste, not recycleable waste.
Some of Halton's blue recycling waste bins have been retro-fitted with chips, but they are soley for the voluntary recycling rewards scheme we are piloting in some parts of Halton. We also told residents and the local media in advance what we were proposing to do and why.
The Robin Hood Tax - A small tax that could make a big difference. (February, 2010)
A tiny tax of 0.05% from international bankers’ transactions could generate hundreds of billions of pounds every year to stop cuts in crucial public services in the UK and help fight global poverty
and climate change. And it shouldn’t cost the public a penny. Phil Harris supports the campaign.
The Robin Hood Tax campaign is a movement bringing together dozens of organisations that work to reduce poverty in the UK and overseas, and campaign to tackle climate change. They have come together during the economic crisis to campaign for a new deal between banks and society. See Video page. If you would like to know why 350 top economists are supporting such a tax and why it would benefit the many, then click this link.
Halton's Labour MP Derek Twigg took the time to visit the Robin Hood Tax Parliamentary lobby this Wednesday (24th Feb) and has shown his support by signing the Early Day Motion 913 by Lindsay Hoyle MP which supports the call for a Robin Hood Tax.
If you support the Robin Hood Tax show your support now. After all, only wealthy bankers and certain politicians tend to be the only ones who don't !
Update on Rebuilding of All Saints (Upton) C of E Primary School. (January, 2010.)
The construction work at the school will commence during early February with a scheduled completion in mid-November.
As a governor of All Saints, Phil Harris recently attended a meeting of a sub-committee to discuss the latest arrangements. Further updates will be posted on here in due course. Parents are of course being kept directly updated through the school newsletter.
Free Swimming a success in Halton. (December, 2009)
Almost 8,000 Halton people have registered for free swimming since the govt funded scheme began on April 1st. Prior to the scheme being offered Halton already offered free swimming to 16 year old's and younger and 60 year old's and over. Govt funding is now helping others to take advantage of a free swim as part of the nationwide 'Change4Life' campaign, aimed at encouraging people to lead more active and healthy lives and as part of the run up to the Olympic games in 2011.
Halton is one of 300 council's who have taken up the offer from the government. Neighbouring Tory controlled Cheshire West and Chester Council is one of those who have not participated in the scheme. Cllr Phil Harris said ''Health is a major priority in Halton, so our decision to take part in the free swimming programme was something we felt was important. Anybody interested in registering should phone the council and join today.''
Recyclebank Scheme piloted in parts of Hough Green (November, 2009)
Following on from the recent expansion of kerbside recycling to more areas of Halton during the summer, the council is now piloting a rewards scheme for kerbside recycling in the blue bins.
From mid-October, parts of seven wards across Widnes & Runcorn have been offered a voluntary 'opt in' service, which rewards residents who choose to recycle, with vouchers that provide discounts and offers at shops and businesses or that can be donated to a charity.
The Hough Green ward includes areas trialing the scheme. Those homes involved are the first in the North of the UK to trial the scheme.
A short video of how the scheme works is below.
As the council's spokesperson for recycling, Phil Harris proposed the Recyclebank scheme to the Council's Executive Board.
Phil was delighted that the ward he represents was one of the areas included in the six month pilot.
Phil says '' The key aspects of this scheme are; that it is voluntary; offers an easy to understand incentive for residents and is a win win for all concerned.
After six months the scheme will be reviewed and if successful it will be extended across the borough from the summer of 2010.
See above video clip of the Recyclebank scheme in the South of England.
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