Slough Council supports Lib Dem Cllr Waqas Sabah's call for a recycling and recovery plan to "save money, protect the environment, and get us back on track without penalising our residents"

Lib Dem Cllr Waqas Sabah (in photo with Lib Dem Leader Sir Ed Davey) started his call for review of the Slough Council's refuse collection and recycling policies by highlighting the cost of not recycling more. He explained that if Slough increased recycling by 5% “we could save £80,000 a year - money that should be spent on protecting vital services.”

“That is why our Refuse Collection Policy Review motion is vital. It calls for a fresh look at bin sizes eligibly for larger households, the challenge of clinical waste, sheds with beds, and how we communicate with our residents. A Citizens' Charter could help make this a shared responsibility between the Council and the community.”

For the full motion see below, but in proposing it, Cllr Waqas Sabah continued: "If we act decisively now with residents in the heart of it, we can turn this whole thing around, expanding food collection, tackling contamination, and learning from the changes already made…This is about more than just bins, it responsibility, sustainability and leaving a cleaner borough for the next generation. 

If we get together on this on this we can help increase recycling and reduce fly-tipping within the town; and help those residents in need right now."

The top six Councils for Recycling in the country are run by Lib Dems.  

Cllr Sabia Akram, Leader of Slough Lib Dem Group, seconded the motion, and highlighted the cost to the Council of removing fly-tipping. 

She added: "Let's not forget our most vulnerable residents…on domiciliary care packages. They deserve dignity including proper sanitary waste collection. Neighbouring boroughs like the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead have already reviewed bin sizes and collection for vulnerable householders, so why not Slough?

As a champion for equality I'm asking the Cabinet and Scrutiny to carry out a thorough review as to how we can engage with all communities to deliver waste policies that are fair, effective and accountable.

And finally, introducing a Citizen's Chare would put responsibility not just on residents but also allow some responsibly on the Council."

The full motion accepted is here:

Refuse Collection Policy Review
(Moved by Councillor W Sabah, seconded by Councillor Akram)

“The Council requests that the Corporate Improvement Scrutiny Committee considers creating a task and finish working group to review the current waste collection and disposal policies; specifically,

1. The decision by Cabinet on 17 June 2013 to issue the 180L grey bin and 240L red bin as standard when requesting or replacing a waste container;
2. The criteria determining the household eligibility for a larger bin (240L & 360L);
3. The criteria determining the eligibility for a separate or weekly collection and/or disposal of clinical and personal hygiene/sanitary waste;
4. Impact report on waste disposal & fly tipping in relation to “Sheds with Beds” (including permitted or unpermitted developments);
5. Current communications plan and resident engagement in particular the above policies and any such changes;
6. Establish a ‘citizens charter’ promoting responsible recycling and waste disposal;

Council requests that a report on the findings and recommendations of the above be brought back to full council by the Chair before the end of the municipal year.”