A Burntwood councillor has slammed plans by the government to spend £250million to bring back weekly refuse collections.
Cllr Steve Norman
Cllr Steve Norman, leader of the opposition Labour group on Lichfield District Council, has described the plan by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles as a “bribe” and believes the funding could be spent in other areas.
He added: “Pickles is indeed in a pickle about this because whilst he says he believes in localism he would actually like to force councils to change their bin collection service – no matter what residents want.
“We introduced kerbside recycling when we were in control of Lichfield District Council and we have supported the expansion of the service to meet demands over the years.
“If the Government have £250 million pound to spare they should be giving it to councils to improve social services or schools – not for rubbish!”
However, Mr Pickles – who has claimed it is a “basic right” for homes to have their refuse collected weekly – has denied accusations about the proposals.
“This is not a bung,” he explained. “They [councils] would have to bid for a scheme to improve procurement, or to introduce incentive schemes for recycling or to introduce schemes whereby we look towards mechanical sorting of biological and recyclable waste.”