New Year - old problem

A NEW year has dawned but Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard's Ask The Leader website slot is still dominated by the major controversy of 2007.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jan 2008, 08:34 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 20:23 BST

Questioners are still seeking answers to problems with the district council's kerbside recycling scheme, launched last June, but now with a post-Twelfth Night angle.

One questioner asks: "I am rather disappointed that our paper box was rejected due to wrapping paper being in it.

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"I carefully sorted this and removed any that had tinsel, glitter and so on. Overall I am actually very disappointed at what little is collected for recycling. A friend of mine in Gravesham has just about everything collected, cardboard, ALL types of plastic. T

"The majority of their rubbish goes into so called clear-bag collection and after Christmas they had eight clear bags for re-cycling and one black bag for land fill. This is a five-person family. What really, really grates is that their council tax is lower !

"Is Rother planning to increase what can be re-cycled? It is quite obvious that more can be done and having beaten the community into submission you now need to do more."

The leader replies: "Gravesham Borough Council has arrangements that allow them to separate and sort the variety of recycling materials they collect. The Gravesham Council Tax rate for a band D property is actually a little more expensive (3 per property) than Rother.

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"We are planning to provide additional opportunities for recycling (eg. cardboard) as soon as we can be sure that these new materials have appropriate disposal routes that maintain their value as recyclates. The opportunity to send materials for recycling varies across the country and of course all authorities must take into account factors such as the distance to be travelled to disposal facilities."

A second questioner asks: "Please can you tell me why the council's contractors are not required to return the wheelie bins and recycling boxes to the official collection point after emptying but are able to leave them dumped on lawns, gardens and blocking access to houses?

"Why can the bins/boxes not be returned to where they are left for collection - ie, the official collection point?"

The leader says: "The council's contractor, Verdant, is required to put bins and boxes back at the approved collection point and I would apologise if this has not been the case.

"Please contact our Recycling Help Point on 01424 787580 and someone can take your details and ensure the appropriate action is taken to restore service to accepted standards."