Rossendale residents' fury at meeting over rural bin collections axe

11:45am Thursday 11th August 2011 in News Photograph of the Author By Neil Docking, Reporter

LISTENING Residents at the public meeting LISTENING Residents at the public meeting

FURIOUS residents slammed the axeing of bin collections at hundreds of rural homes at a packed public meeting last night.

Almost 700 households across Rossendale now have to take their rubbish up to two miles to designated collection points.

People spoke out at a specially-arranged residents’ meeting in Marl Pits, Rawtenstall.

Resident Alan Walker chaired the meeting, organised by a newly-formed group calling itself ‘DIY Binmen’.

He said: “People don’t want to see bags of rubbish on the side of the road from 700 farms.

“We think this is discriminatory against people who have chosen to live in rural areas.

"We’re paying some of the highest council tax rates in the country.”

Paul and Janet Walsh, who live in a lane with 12 properties affected by the plans, said a proper consultation had not taken place.

Mrs Walsh said: “We need to get this decision suspended, ie. stop, go back to the drawing board and do a full review.”

The residents are being backed by Jake Berry, Rossendale and Darwen MP, who said the move to axe the collections should be scrapped immediately.

He said: “I am fundamentally opposed to these proposals.

"While cost savings are necessary in this economy, leaving one section of the community to fend for themselves when it comes to rubbish collection is an appalling approach to the problem.

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“The residents have spoken out against these dreadful plans and we have started a petition to stop them going ahead.”

Campaigners fear the cost-cutting exercise will lead to an increase in fly-tipping, make the borough look untidy, and discourage civic pride.

There will be no reduction in council tax for those homes affected.

Last week, 450 households went live with the changes, with the remaining 250 properties expected to adopt the scheme in the next six weeks.

The action is expected to save £92,000 and forms part of the £2.6m savings the council has to make over the next three years.

Comments (7)

12:51pm Thu 11 Aug 11

AndyD123 says...

I can see these "designated collection points" becoming unofficial dumping grounds. There will be old mattresses, couches and fridges surrounding them within no time.
I can see these "designated collection points" becoming unofficial dumping grounds. There will be old mattresses, couches and fridges surrounding them within no time. AndyD123

2:29pm Thu 11 Aug 11

Michael@ClitheroeSince58 says...

In the mean time not one single 100k+ final salary job was lost a good result
In the mean time not one single 100k+ final salary job was lost a good result Michael@ClitheroeSince58

4:05pm Thu 11 Aug 11

stagsentinel says...

I think Rossendale Council has made several redundancies. Looking at it accounts none of its employees seem to receive a 100k+ salary.
I think Rossendale Council has made several redundancies. Looking at it accounts none of its employees seem to receive a 100k+ salary. stagsentinel

6:59pm Sat 13 Aug 11

DCI says...

We must all agree that cuts need to be made (thank you for that Bankers!). To continue with spurious discussions around inflated council salaries only distracts from the fact that cuts are essential and will always hurt someone. What some of these residents are upset about seems to be their unwillingness to be affected by the cuts in any way at all. As one of those affected I dont like these plans but I suggest we just get on with it this time. I'm sure many of the other cuts will be felt more keenly.
We must all agree that cuts need to be made (thank you for that Bankers!). To continue with spurious discussions around inflated council salaries only distracts from the fact that cuts are essential and will always hurt someone. What some of these residents are upset about seems to be their unwillingness to be affected by the cuts in any way at all. As one of those affected I dont like these plans but I suggest we just get on with it this time. I'm sure many of the other cuts will be felt more keenly. DCI

8:52pm Sat 13 Aug 11

NoPolitics says...

Does anyone think that this is the only Council in the Country that applies this method of collection, if so then they are being very naive. The issue of "people having to take their waste upto two miles" is no more than smoke and mirrors. From what I understand the collection point is at the end of the lane where the "private Road meets the highway" Well is that not how these people get in and out of their property anyway, so drop it off when passing, no hardship there. As for the local MP being "fundamentally opposed to the proposal" this is just another case of where will my votes come from next time if I don't support them, let's not believe anything else. It's a pity the Council has to make these savings but you reap what you sow
Does anyone think that this is the only Council in the Country that applies this method of collection, if so then they are being very naive. The issue of "people having to take their waste upto two miles" is no more than smoke and mirrors. From what I understand the collection point is at the end of the lane where the "private Road meets the highway" Well is that not how these people get in and out of their property anyway, so drop it off when passing, no hardship there. As for the local MP being "fundamentally opposed to the proposal" this is just another case of where will my votes come from next time if I don't support them, let's not believe anything else. It's a pity the Council has to make these savings but you reap what you sow NoPolitics

10:04pm Sat 13 Aug 11

DCI says...

Spot on! I'm sure no amount of hand wringing, face scrunching (see title photo) or conflated arguments around public health hazzards will ultimately detract from the fact that this is a tough but reasonably considered decision. Accept it, negotiate, and move on. I have no doubt there is far worse to come, so please lets pick our fights?
Spot on! I'm sure no amount of hand wringing, face scrunching (see title photo) or conflated arguments around public health hazzards will ultimately detract from the fact that this is a tough but reasonably considered decision. Accept it, negotiate, and move on. I have no doubt there is far worse to come, so please lets pick our fights? DCI

11:05am Mon 15 Aug 11

adpwalker says...

All residents feel the cuts so why should one group be discriminated against in this way. The reality is it won't be long before the council will be asking more residents to get up before 7am and handle smelly rubbish.

This cut in bin collections is actually going to cost more than it saves and the irony is that the council will still be running some of the same collection rounds e.g. for disabled people

Costs not taken into account:
-Setting up rubbish dump points - planning permission, land searches, staff time, hard standings, fencing, signage, locking bins, bin keys for residents etc..
-Staff to clean up rubbish dump points and extra littering
-Staff to run assisted collection rounds
-Car boot liners
-Cost of staff for clean ups of fly tipping

Plus the saving in landfill and landfill tax and the £17 per household that Lancashire will pay RBC for recycling at soem of the 700 properties.

The decision cannot be classed as reasonably considered as there has been no consultation with people and their neighbours who are adversely affected by this. In fact the council hasn't even contacted many of the affected people - even those in the front line of the cuts are not aware as the letters sent out informing about the decision were not even addressed to the council tax payers - just to the address and so most will not have been read and will have gone into the bin with junk mail.

How about all the councillors running a pilot scheme first in similar conditions for 6 months to show the residents the way forward. Then consult them about it and make a reasonably considered decision?

Sign the petition to oppose the cuts and stop them coming after you.
All residents feel the cuts so why should one group be discriminated against in this way. The reality is it won't be long before the council will be asking more residents to get up before 7am and handle smelly rubbish. This cut in bin collections is actually going to cost more than it saves and the irony is that the council will still be running some of the same collection rounds e.g. for disabled people Costs not taken into account: -Setting up rubbish dump points - planning permission, land searches, staff time, hard standings, fencing, signage, locking bins, bin keys for residents etc.. -Staff to clean up rubbish dump points and extra littering -Staff to run assisted collection rounds -Car boot liners -Cost of staff for clean ups of fly tipping Plus the saving in landfill and landfill tax and the £17 per household that Lancashire will pay RBC for recycling at soem of the 700 properties. The decision cannot be classed as reasonably considered as there has been no consultation with people and their neighbours who are adversely affected by this. In fact the council hasn't even contacted many of the affected people - even those in the front line of the cuts are not aware as the letters sent out informing about the decision were not even addressed to the council tax payers - just to the address and so most will not have been read and will have gone into the bin with junk mail. How about all the councillors running a pilot scheme first in similar conditions for 6 months to show the residents the way forward. Then consult them about it and make a reasonably considered decision? Sign the petition to oppose the cuts and stop them coming after you. adpwalker

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