Waste Not Want Not- Lib Dems get fairer deal on waste costs (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Waste Not Want Not- Lib Dems get fairer deal on waste costs

February 23, 2006 2:57 PM

Lib Dem campaigners in Islington are celebrating success in securing a fairer, greener way to calculate Islington's refuse costs- which will which will save Islington £2 million a year.

Following years of campaigning by Councillors Bridget Fox and George Allan, in the face of Labour opposition, the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), will now base its charges on the amount of refuse each borough sends for disposal. Previously the charge was related to the council tax base - meaning Islington's residents were subsidising the waste disposal of other councils like Labour Waltham Forest and Hackney. Unsurprisingly, the Labour Councillors from these authorities on the NLWA repeatedly opposed any change to make the system fairer and greener. Now, the Government has changed the law to force NLWA to make the changes Bridget and George have long fought for. As well as saving money, the new system will encourage councils to reduce the amount of waste they produce, a key priority for sustainability.

Cllr Arnie Gibbons, Executive Member for Resources, says: "This is fantastic news for the environment, and fantastic news for local tax payers. As well as forcing Labour councils to be greener, we can now put this money where it belongs - on better services for local people and on keeping down their tax bills. Bridget and George have fought Islington's corner, and it's paid off."

Cllr Bridget Fox, Executive Member for Sustainability, says: "We've been fighting for this change for years in the face of Labour opposition - now the Government has backed us up and forced diehard Labour councils to back down. Being truly green means changing old habits, and that included this outdated system. Now Islington Council and local residents will be rewarded for making the environment a priority."

Cllr George Allan, NLWA member since 2000, adds, "After so many years of Lib Dem campaigning for a fairer, greener tax it's really good news that our neighbouring boroughs can no longer veto this much-needed reform - at last Islington council tax payers will get a fairer deal for reducing the amount of waste we throw out."