Hyndburn council in £36,000 calendar rumpus

1:40pm Monday 10th December 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Emma Cruces, Reporter

GLOSSY recycling calendars have been branded ‘an obscene waste of money’ by opposition councillors.

Hyndburn Council’s ruling Labour group have this year spent £36,000 on the calendars which serve as a handy reminder of when to recycle.

The decision comes just three years after the group boycotted the Conservatives’ official calendars costing £2,000 over claims that they were a waste of public funds.

However, Labour council leader Miles Parkinson said the calendars had a number of uses.

He said: “There are more than 36,000 properties in Hyndburn. The biennial calendars cost around 55p each a year, equal to just over a penny a week, to inform residents of their collection dates.

“It also doubles as a customer survey, and contains extra information about recycling services.

“If we didn’t produce these, we would somehow have to inform every resident about collections at certain times, such as bank holidays and Christmas.

“In future years, it will be under review like everything else, but this year we are still capable of providing these calendars for residents.”

Opposition leader Peter Britcliffe said he was amazed at the decision to fund the calendar when money was so tight.

The calendar is a 24-page, two- year calendar on glossy paper decorated with a number of recycling tips. Coun Britcliffe said: “An A4 sheet would have done just as well, if one was needed at all. Ironically, this calendar would be hard to recycle because it has metal parts.

“In the beginning of the recycling days, it was more important to remind people when recycling was taking place.

“But everyone is used to it now. No-one needs a guide for the next two years – not at this price, when we are supposed to be tightening our belts.”

Comments (9)

2:14pm Mon 10 Dec 12

frank says...

"Coun Britcliffe said: “An A4 sheet would have done just as well, if one was needed at all. Ironically, this calendar would be hard to recycle because it has metal parts. "

how would the calendar be hard to recycle?
take the metal hanger out and recyle the pages.

not rocket science is it?

i'm surprised at the cost but i make good use of mine.

at least it shows that there is life in council offices :)
"Coun Britcliffe said: “An A4 sheet would have done just as well, if one was needed at all. Ironically, this calendar would be hard to recycle because it has metal parts. " how would the calendar be hard to recycle? take the metal hanger out and recyle the pages. not rocket science is it? i'm surprised at the cost but i make good use of mine. at least it shows that there is life in council offices :) frank

2:40pm Mon 10 Dec 12

ghost of sceptic says...

frank wrote:
"Coun Britcliffe said: “An A4 sheet would have done just as well, if one was needed at all. Ironically, this calendar would be hard to recycle because it has metal parts. " how would the calendar be hard to recycle? take the metal hanger out and recyle the pages. not rocket science is it? i'm surprised at the cost but i make good use of mine. at least it shows that there is life in council offices :)
Total waste of money when frontline services are affected. My calendar from ribble valley goes striaght in the paper recycling as i know when collections are coming its just common sense. Should of spent it on some nice wallpaper???
[quote][p][bold]frank[/bold] wrote: "Coun Britcliffe said: “An A4 sheet would have done just as well, if one was needed at all. Ironically, this calendar would be hard to recycle because it has metal parts. " how would the calendar be hard to recycle? take the metal hanger out and recyle the pages. not rocket science is it? i'm surprised at the cost but i make good use of mine. at least it shows that there is life in council offices :)[/p][/quote]Total waste of money when frontline services are affected. My calendar from ribble valley goes striaght in the paper recycling as i know when collections are coming its just common sense. Should of spent it on some nice wallpaper??? ghost of sceptic

3:15pm Mon 10 Dec 12

midas says...

If its worded properly the calanders also act as a s46 EPA Notice re: storage and presentation of waaste.
If its worded properly the calanders also act as a s46 EPA Notice re: storage and presentation of waaste. midas

4:28pm Mon 10 Dec 12

Izanears says...

I live in Pendle and the recycling 'booklet' is a great help.
I live in Pendle and the recycling 'booklet' is a great help. Izanears

4:30pm Mon 10 Dec 12

mys says...

People should know by now when and what days there recycling is, we've been having it for years, just a waste of good money that could be spent on other neede things..
People should know by now when and what days there recycling is, we've been having it for years, just a waste of good money that could be spent on other neede things.. mys

6:39pm Mon 10 Dec 12

maxcollie says...

We don't need such an expensive calendar
We don't need such an expensive calendar maxcollie

7:23pm Mon 10 Dec 12

loopylass says...

There is nowt wrong with the calender, I pay my council tax and its a lot better than the rubbish Britcliffe gives out, I mean who wants a calender ...sorry a piece of paper with he's mush staring back at ya?! ...If it bothers people that much I'm sure some people would folk out £1.10p for the two years....I know I would.
There is nowt wrong with the calender, I pay my council tax and its a lot better than the rubbish Britcliffe gives out, I mean who wants a calender ...sorry a piece of paper with he's mush staring back at ya?! ...If it bothers people that much I'm sure some people would folk out £1.10p for the two years....I know I would. loopylass

1:42am Tue 11 Dec 12

ricksh says...

Britcliffe at it again with his barmy comments roll on may when we can vote him out
Britcliffe at it again with his barmy comments roll on may when we can vote him out ricksh

12:01pm Tue 11 Dec 12

John Peters says...

Peter Britcliffe is completely out of touch. I for one am glad of the calender. I regularly refer to this years to determine what collectons occuring on any given week. I'm sure I'll use next years just the same.

I read the above as sour grapes because the Conservative Calender was boycotted a couple of years back?
Peter Britcliffe is completely out of touch. I for one am glad of the calender. I regularly refer to this years to determine what collectons occuring on any given week. I'm sure I'll use next years just the same. I read the above as sour grapes because the Conservative Calender was boycotted a couple of years back? John Peters

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