FOR IMMEDIATE USE 01 November 2022
A petition to keep Havering’s weekly bin collections has received over a thousand signatures, after the budget consultation proposed fortnightly collections.
Romford Councillor, David Taylor, said he started the petition after residents raised concerns over rats. Something he has experienced first-hand.
“Our flat has communal bins, which are already overflowing every week. This attracts rats, which have come into our home. Fortnightly collections will make this much worse. Many of my residents live in flats, or homes, with nowhere to store rubbish for two weeks.”
The proposal for fortnightly collections comes as Havering Council looks to find millions of pounds in savings, with inflation and demographic changes putting pressure on Havering’s finances. Taylor admits that cuts need to be made but describes this proposal as an un-costed fantasy.
“The Council’s consultation states that fortnightly collections will save money, but it then goes on to say everyone will be given wheelie bins.
I asked the council the cost of those bins and they couldn’t give me a reply. This proposal is an un-costed fantasy that will cause chaos across Romford”.
Taylor continues
“Over a thousand residents have said they agree with me, that this is a bad idea. I am sure many more share that view. The council must scrap this idea”.
Facing criticism that the petition is not needed, as residents can have their say through the official consultation, Cllr Taylor responded by saying that the consultation doesn’t ask the right questions and isn’t user-friendly.
“Residents have to scroll through 4 pages of numbers before they get to the proposals. They are then given an un-costed proposal and asked if it ‘impacts them’. The consultation should ask whether people think it’s a good idea. Plenty of things don’t impact me but are also a really bad idea.
I have, however, ensured that everyone who signs the petition is directed to the official consultation”.
The petition will be presented to Full Council on November 23rd. Residents across Havering can sign the petition at www.davidtaylor.online/petition .
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Photos:
www.davidtaylor.online/press
Contact:
David Taylor
Phone: 07878 132 549 Email: hello@davidtaylor.london