Liberal Democrat councillors have criticised the Labour run Council, afterit admitted this week that it sacrificed consultation with residents inorder to meet a London Recycling Fund target of 40 mini recycling ‘bringsites’ by this month. The mini sites springing up around the borough aremade up of five portable recycling units and have already upset manyresidents across the borough since their appearance, without warning, a fewweeks ago.

Lib Dem Environment spokesperson, Bob Hare is concerned that the Council isrunning the risk of damaging people’s good will towards recycling by itsfailure to consult even the local residents’ associations for the areas withthe new sites. He is disappointed that the Council again appear to haveignored the issue until it was too late, when the issue of findingappropriate sites could have been discussed at the local assemblies manymonths ago.

Instead, the Council seem to have belatedly realised there was a target tomeet, and have missed the opportunity to consult residents as to where wouldbe the best places to roll out these new units. As a result, Cllr Hare saysmany of the units may be greatly underused, while residents continue to feelthat decisions are being taken that affect their area but without theirinvolvement.

Cllr Hare (Highgate) comments:

“Getting better recycling is a big issue for residents, unfortunately, theCouncil has made it clear that ticking boxes is far more important to itthan a genuine and open interaction with residents to get sites that will bemost effective at improving recycling.

“Bring sites are an important part of the borough’s recycling programme, butwork best if residents are consulted and support the new schemes. Theresidents of Haringey deserve better, but they can help the Council improve.All the Council has to do is ask in good time.”