Conservative Councillor Henry Michallat has attacked revelations that Bristol City Council is shortly going to ask residents about possible controversial changes to their household waste and recycling collections.
A leaked consultation document which is scheduled to go-live next Monday (18th November) apparently posits options to reduce the current fortnightly refuse rounds down to three or even a four-weekly service.
Similarly, weekly recyclables could have less frequent rotas, as well as revisions made to how such materials are sorted and stored.
The rationale behind these moves is said to be financial in order to help the company (and the Authority) cut costs and help close its large budget deficits.
However, Cllr Michallat, who is a member on the Environment & Sustainability Policy Committee, has been quick to point out that the Labour Chancellor’s recent budget is also a major factor here in shaping any future waste strategy.
Cllr Michallat (Stoke Bishop) said: “If accurate, these suggested reforms will be extremely unwelcome news for Bristol householders. It is a black bin bombshell.
“They come at a time when people are already being warned or asked to contemplate huge increases in council tax. This can only mean they will end up paying much more for less in terms of an absolutely essential service.
“Of course, it must not be overlooked that Bristol Waste, as a direct result of the Chancellor’s National Insurance hike on employers, will also have to find an estimated additional £800k to pay the Treasury.
“This is an outcome which can only increase any existing financial pressures on the company.
“Some of the other ideas being floated of multiple bin combinations and rotational collections also seem designed to cause chaos and confusion.
“More use of sacks may be a good substitute, but some thought needs to be given to the potential for greater pavement clutter created in this way especially on many of our narrow Victorian streets.
“I shall be opposing these innovations and will encourage as many residents as possible to participate in the formal public consultation.”
