Haringey’s Labour run council has been unsympathetic and unapologetic in its treatment of local residents over the controversial distribution of wheelie bins in the borough, according to Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Spokesperson, Bob Hare following Monday’s full council meeting.

The comments come after Environment Lead member Cllr Ray Dodds’ failure to answer a question put to him three times by Cllr Hare (Highgate) as to whether or not the council was going to place information about the choice of wheelie bin size in an updated letter to residents.

Lib Dems have expressed their anger that the council is foisting the huge bins on residents without proper consultation, when a smaller bin would often be much more appropriate, less intrusive, and better for the environment. Government studies have shown that wheelie bins that are too large are a major barrier to recycling and waste minimisation. Cllr Hare revealed information that in Tottenham, where residents have already had wheelie bins foisted upon them, just 68 of the 18,000 bins issued were of the smaller size.

Bob Hare comments: “I gave Cllr Dodds a number of opportunities to give a straight answer to my question. He simply repeated that every household would receive a standard size bin and they would review the situation in four weeks. By then, it would be too late for the council to change more than a few bins.”More…

“Trying to shout down the Lib Dems in council meetings and avoiding these problems is not going to solve this issue.”

While Cllr Dodds did agree to Lib Dem demands to allow the three sizes of bin to be shown in the exhibit caravan touring the borough, Cllr Hare remained dissatisfied:

“Simply putting the bins on display is a small step in the right direction, but few will see them in the council caravan. The council should be putting information through the doors of residents, especially those who worry most about the new bins – the disabled and the elderly.”