LIB DEM COUNCILLORS SLAM NEW TORY POLICY ON HAVING TO BOOK TO RECYCLE

Brentwood Liberal Democrat councillors have reacted with anger and frustration at Tory controlled Essex County Council's announcement today, regarding residents having to book to recycle at the Community Recycling Centres across Essex, like the one at Coxtie Green in Pilgrims Hatch.

The Essex County Council press release dated 30th January said:

"From Monday 13th March 2023, you will need to book a slot to visit an Essex County Council recycling centre to dispose of your household waste. A booking process will help to reduce queues, manage congestion both in and around the sites, and improve the customer experience.

"Please note, this is a trial and it is an extension of the current booking process that is already in place for large vehicles at our van-friendly sites, and for all vehicles at Rayleigh Recycling Centre"

So far, both trials have been effective in smoothing the pattern of demand across operating hours and reducing both queues and congestion"

This news comes on the back of Borough councillors recently being told at a Policy & Resources Committee meeting that over 500 fly tips had to be cleared from across Brentwood Borough last year. That was under the existing recycling rules so it's anyone's guess as to how many fly tips we are going to get this year when this new policy starts in March.

Commenting on the news, Brentwood Lib Dem councillors gave the following response:

County Councillor Barry Aspinell - "This is yet another obstacle being put in the way of Brentwood residents who are trying to do their bit for the environment. This is an outrageous decision that needs to be changed as soon as possible"

Cllr Dominic Naylor - "Totally ridiculous"

Cllr Vicky Davies - "It will increase fly tipping undoubtedly"

Cllr Sarah Cloke - "Bonkers... I've been to the tip a few times in recent months and either driven straight in or had no more than three or four cars ahead of me"

Cllr Mark Lewis - "An excuse for cost cutting"

Cllr David Kendall - "The policy on vans having to book was already unpopular, so I'm very suprised that the County have now decided to expand it to all vhicles This will definitely lead to more fly tipping"

We would urge any residents who are unhappy with this new policy to contact their Conservative County councillors and call for the decision to be reversed as soon as possible.