Dear Editor,
I thought your readers would be interested in the issue of waste management, recycling and street cleaning in Brent given your many tweets on the issue. There is a consultation in progress about possible service changes which has not received wide publicity and ends tomorrow. I have written to Krupa Sheth asking for an extension to the consultation and expressing my concern about the proposals. I urge Wembley Matters readers to respond to the consultation here: https://haveyoursay.brent.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/future-waste-collections-and-street-cleansing-services-consultation
Dear Councillor Sheth,
The Council’s public consultation seeking residents’ views on changes to recycling and street cleaning services in Brent will conclude shortly. I am writing with concerns about the way that this consultation was conducted and about your proposed changes to these vital services.
I do not believe that enough time was given to residents to make their views known, nor do I believe that enough residents are in fact aware of the major changes the Labour Council plan to make. As such, the Liberal Democrat group is requesting an immediate extension to the consultation period and for the Council to make more of an effort to engage with local residents and listen to their concerns.
In the Summer 2022 ‘Your Brent’ magazine, which is supposedly distributed to all households in the borough, at a cost to the taxpayer, there is very little reference to this major consultation. Why? I would have thought including full details of the proposed changes to recycling and street cleaning should have been a priority in this communication from Brent Council to residents.
· Could you please confirm why informing residents about the recycling and street cleansing consultation was not prioritised in the Summer 2022 ‘Your Brent’ magazine?
The Liberal Democrat group have been circulating information about the consultation in recent weeks. The consensus from residents is that not enough time has been given for a response. Many are also unsure why information about these major changes to services were not highlighted during the recent local election campaign. The previous Labour administration would have known decisions were needed regarding budget setting and Veolia’s contract with Brent Council, surely, this should have been explained to residents during the election campaign. The perfect opportunity to engage with and seek views from residents.
I am also very concerned about the proposed changes themselves.
Firstly, I do not believe that the plan to ask residents to segregate recyclables, for collection on an alternate week basis, will work.
· What evidence is there that this system will lead to improved recycling rates?
· Have you factored in the education campaign that will be needed to ensure all residents are familiarised with this major change?
· What are the financial implications of this decision?
On street cleaning, I fear the proposals are even worse. The consultation stipulates that streets will not automatically be cleaned every week, instead they will only be cleaned “if required”.
· Who will judge whether local street cleaning is “required”?
· How exactly does the Council plan to execute this intelligence led initiative?
Local residents are rightly unhappy that services they pay for through their Council Tax, are being changed in this way. We believe it will lead to dirtier streets and worsening recycling rates in Brent. Both things we all want to avoid.
We request an urgent rethink to these proposals and more time for local people to be consulted. I am also requesting a Councillor briefing, with yourself and Council Officers, for all political groups. I am aware you have already delivered a briefing to the Labour Group, however, the Opposition need to be consulted too and afforded the opportunity to scrutinise proposals as is proper in a democratic setting.
I look forward to your response on these matters.
Kind regards,
Cllr Anton Georgiou
Liberal Democrat Councillor, Alperton
London Borough of Brent
4 comments:
Will Anton shake the big magic money tree or want to increase our Council Tax bills to pay for this?
Interesting comment from "Anonymous" (which Labour Councillor I wonder?). As Labour have consistently raised the Brent Council Tax by the maximum permitted - and Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor raised his share by 18% in two years - local residents are already paying for street cleaning and recycling services which are already very poor.
Labour Councillors have already:
1. Slashed Street Cleaning from 3 times per week to just once.
2. Introduced fortnightly refuse collections.
3. Removed rubbish bins from most local streets
4. Introduced charges for bulky items and garden bins
How much more are they now planning the cut the already minimal service by?
They knew the present contract is up for renewal for a long time - so why did the Labour Leadership not reveal their plans before the recent local elections so local people could have their say?
Brent streets are already full of dumped rubbish and often far too dirty. To cut the street cleaning service even more will only make the situation worse and only the rats and other vermin will welcome this.
It is time for Labour to come clean and not to keep local people in the dark with another of their sham consultations.
Brent Council will save £1.2 million by making these stupid changes - at the same time they will spend £2million building two 4 bedroom houses in Rokesby Place which they will rent our for £298 per week - good economics there!
Brent Council clearly have the money (yes our council tax) to spend on what they want to do.
Dear first anonymous, Cllr Duffy was ostracised for reminding Labour there was not a magic money tree so they needed to negotiate better on their contracts with veolia as they were wasting millions. This is the money which should be used. Failing that, bring waste back in house as the money currently going to veolias profits can be invested in better services. Now pull your finger out you lazy bunch. We do see you.
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