News page 1 of 2 Scroll down to read if indicated. See 'Archived news' for other past news items.
Halton Conservatives call for barmy cuts to the Council's bin service. (March, 2010)
The recent meeting of Halton's council meeting (3rd March) considered and approved this year's budget and this year the Conservative councillors put a rather unique proposal forward. It can only be described as unique as no-one can remember a worse ill-thought out proposal in living memory.
Describing the proposal as a 'missed opportunity', (his words) the Conservative Leader on Halton Council proposed replacing the council's existing bin collection service with one man operated refuse collection vehicles. This would allegedly result in a £643,000 saving, as you could then sack all the collection staff who are currently part of the bin crews.
Aside from the fact it wouldn't actually work or deliver a better bin service, you do have to acknowledge that only the Conservatives would propose a kick in the teeth to some of the council's hardest workers, who deliver a service most residents consider to be one of the best in Halton. Labour councillors rejected the proposal.
More detail will follow on this subject in the near future. Watch this space.
For the record - Halton doesn't support 'pay as you throw' schemes. (March, 2010)
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 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.
Volunteer
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 !
Image of committee room on Wednesday, courtesy of the Robin Rood Tax campaign.
Recyclebank scheme progressing well. (February, 2010)
Since last October a pilot recycling rewards scheme has been running across seven parts of Halton. Read the latest report on the scheme in this link to a recent news article. Parts of the Hough Green ward have been offered this voluntary scheme and if the pilot is successful it will be considered for a roll out across the rest of the borough from this summer. (visit the Recyclebank website by clicking here.)
Halton's recycling rate increased again last year to 28%, which is great news and a testimony to the efforts of local residents who understand recycling makes sense. If you aren't recycling yet, why not give it a try ? It saves money and it's good for the environment.
Mersey Gateway inspector’s report being scrutinised by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis (February, 2010)
Read the latest update in the Liverpool Echo by clicking this link to the story.
There's another update, on a possible threat to the bridge from the Tories, courtesy of the Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News on 25th February - click here.
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