Tim Ball

The Conservative-run Cabinet of Bath and North East Somerset Council has become complacent about recycling and waste policies, according to opposition politicians.

As the first Council to adopt a zero waste policy, under Liberal Democrat leadership, Bath & North East Somerset Council was seen as a trailblazer on recycling. However since the new Administration took over however the Council's waste record is becoming a damp squib.

The Conservative Cabinet are happy to congratulate themselves about Government statistics, but meanwhile they are once again considering delaying their promised introduction of kitchen waste collections - now saying this could be put off till 2011 - and same day collections of waste and recycling will now not come in till 2009. These measures would already have been in place under Liberal Democrat plans and local recycling rates would have been nearly 60% by the end of next year.

This latest boast from the Conservative Administration should really be an admission that recycling and global warming are not high on their agenda. 77% of Bath & North East Somerset residents recycle - residents clearly want to do their bit and want to start now.