Lib Dems Oppose New Council Charges

Liberal Democrats on the borough council firmly opposed executive plans to introduce charges to a number of council services, at last nights Environment Policy Review and Development Committee.

The services which include clearing blocked drains, the annual removal of bulky waste and the provision of wheelie bins to new houses have all previously been free. However at the mayors first executive Cabinet meeting members put forward charges for all these services. This decision was debated at last nights Environment meeting where Lib Dem Spokesperson Cllr Shirley McKay spoke out against the introduction of new charges.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr McKay said:

"We opposed the introduction of new charges for these council services. We have done this because we believe they should be free to all people in the borough."

"Charging for the annual removal of bulky waste and failing to provide free wheelie bins for all will mean that people will just find other ways to get rid of their rubbish. This will lead to more fly tipping which in turn will make the borough untidier and more costly to clean up in the long run. As for blocked drains, well the Mayor and his cabinet may be able to afford £40 to unblock them but there are plenty in the borough who won't."

"We will all then be left with the environmental mess that will cause a health hazard to everyone in the area. That hardly makes for a Better Bedford does it! These services are already paid for through our council tax and we should all expect this help from the council in times of trouble."

She added:

"The Cabinets decision just doesn't make sense. We need more support for vital borough services not more charges to borough tax payers."