Labour controlled Sheffield City Council have today announced they will slash local bin black collections to fortnightly and end a key recycling service, turning down millions of pounds from the Coalition Government to keep a weekly service.
In a shock decision at today’s Cabinet meeting Labour councillors confirmed that the collection of green garden waste for recycling would cease.
The move to slash services, which will bring about dozens of local job losses, comes despite the Coalition Government setting up a £250m national fund which is available to council’s to help fund a weekly black bin collection service.
Cllr Shaffaq Mohammed, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council, said:
“Regardless of your opinion on black bin collections, Labour’s decision to reduce bin collections to fortnightly and cease a key recycling service at the same time is a recipe for utter disaster. Labour councillors have thrown common sense in the bin as well as Sheffield’s waste services.
“The truth is that the Council wouldn’t actually save any money by going to a fortnightly bin service next year, as millions of pounds are on offer from the Government to maintain the weekly collection.
“Precise details are due to be announced this month, but by making use of this fund we would be able to keep the service as it is next year and still cover the budget gap. I’m shocked that Labour have turned down extra investment at a time when we need it most.
“What is also clear is that this prolonged consultation period was a total sham from start to finish. Labour had simply been stringing local people along and the decision had been made weeks ago behind closed doors. Labour’s promise of being open and honest has been left in tatters.”
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