Residents to give verdict on waste scheme (From Gazette & Herald)

Residents to give verdict on waste scheme

RESIDENTS in Malton and Norton will get a chance to have their say on the controversial waste scheme which reduced bin-collection from a weekly to fortnightly service when they receive a new questionnaire.

Back in March, household waste went from a weekly collection to fortnightly in parts of Norton. At the same time, a fortnightly collection for garden waste was introduced alongside a collection scheme for glass and paper. Due to run for two years, the scheme was extended to Malton in July.

However, it has already been revised due to complaints of overflowing rubbish bins and unpleasant smells during the hot summer months.

According to Phil Long, commercial services manager for Ryedale District Council, the questionnaire has been drawn up and is awaiting final approval before being sent to households 'very shortly'.

There have been repeated calls for public consultation on the scheme.

District Coun Paul Andrews wrote in a letter to John Davidson, head of commercial services in September: "We may have all kinds of ideas, but, at the end of the day, we live in a democracy, and we should listen to what the people say.

"I want to see a full evaluation of the scheme, including full public consultation on it, before there is any further extension to the scheme. It may be that, if we listen to what people say, we may find there are other options worth exploring."

The issue of waste management is problematic for the council, as the Government has imposed landfill tax rises that mean if household waste production is not reduced by 2005, an additional £1m of council taxpayers' money will be spent on waste management year on year.

Chairman of Ryedale District Council Brian Cottam said: "The results of the questionnaire will be taken into account by the relevant committee alongside the other objectives we have to bear in mind regarding government and EU legislation on waste management."

Most councillors are in agreement that the waste issue, with all its environmental and financial implications, must be tackled, but the discomfort of residents is also a concern.

Ryedale District Coun Dinah Keal said: "There are still a lot of people in Norton regularly contacting me because they are still struggling with the situation, as am I!

"The smell was particularly bad over the hot summer but I am concerned about Christmas now. People have a lot more waste over Christmas and the situation is going to be impossible."

Updated: 09:39 Wednesday, November 05, 2003