TIME LABOUR AND TORIES PUT UP OR SHUT UP ON WASTE PLANS

BRISTOL City Council’s ruling Liberal Democrats have challenged opposition parties to back their waste policies or tell the public why they won’t.
The Labour government and the European Union are putting increasing pressure on all councils to stop using landfill and recycle half their rubbish by 2020.
But the Lib Dems, who took majority control in the June elections, have already:
· Pledged to increase the amount of rubbish the city recycles to 50 per cent by the end of next year (2010).
· Stopped the former Labour administration’s expensive plans for an incinerator for household waste.
· Found an acceptable medium-term solution which could also turn out to be a long-term alternative.
· And started market testing for new environmentally-friendly technologies so that - before 2020 - we are no longer sending any untreated rubbish to landfill.

Executive member in charge Gary Hopkins will tomorrow (Full Council, 6pm, 15th) present the council’s Headline Waste Management Strategy and policy statements for waste and street scene services.
Councillors are being invited to comment before these documents are presented for cabinet decision on October 1.
They include a range of pledges on recycling, street cleansing, litter and graffiti.
Options for rewarding people who are particularly conscientious about recycling are being looked at as the council seeks to increase the amount we recycle from 36 per cent to 50 per cent.
Gary Hopkins said: “We’re exploring with Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) how we can reward those Bristol residents who have worked with us so well up to now in reducing their waste.”
The Lib Dems introduced new arrangements for doorstep bin collections and recycling in the city in 2006, when they were last in power. Recycling rates soared before falling back during Labour’s period in office, 2007-9.
The achievement of Bristol residents has seen the city named as the highest-performing of Britain’s core cities (including Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle) and the new administration is determined to build on a reputation as one of the cleanest and greenest cities in the UK.
Gary Hopkins said today: “For the second time we are galvanising the city into action after years of Labour failure.
“We have clear plans on how Bristol will lead the way nationally. Let’s hear now if the other parties disagree with us or have any coherent plans themselves.
“The best Labour - backed for much of their time in office by the Tories - could offer was the chance of PFI cash from the government to build a mass-burn incinerator. That would have been an environmental and financial disaster.
“We are now throwing down the gauntlet to both parties. It’s time they put up or shut up. They either tell the public how their policies would work - or they accept that our policy is the only one to ensure Bristol continues to enjoy a great reputation as a clean, green city.”