Wednesday, July 16, 2008

One Rule for us... episode 27

Last week, the Lead Councillor for the Environment told us all via the Sutton Guardian that Sutton had the fourth lowest fly-tipping problem in London but fly-tippers were punished most severely.

On the day of publication of that issue, Cllr Tim Crowley inspected this pile of garden waste that a resident had seen dumped by a vehicle bearing the Council tree logo next to Corrigan Rec in the Clockhouse Estate. On reporting the fact that on at least two succesive Thursdays this pile had been added to, he was told variously that it was due to an attempt to save petrol and that it should not have happened and an investigation would be started. It was collected on Sunday by 7 men, 1 tractor and 2 pick-ups.

Despite this, the Lead Councillor for the Environment calmly explained to a public meeting on Wednesday that included Clockhouse residents that it was normal practice to dump the cuttings from Corrigan Rec and then pick it up the next day. This statement came shortly after he responded to a question from Clockhouse residents asking him how they should deal with green garden waste as there was no collection point within several miles of the Estate, by telling them to drive to Kimpton Road (17 mile round trip) or Beddington Lane (11.8 mile round trip).

So... Councillor tells people that they will be in real trouble if they fly-tip whilst the service that he is responsible for is fly-tipping; councillor tells Clockhouse residents to travel across South London to get rid of their rubbish, whilst council waste is tipped in a nearby field. Imagine what your neighbour would say if you chucked your waste across the fence. Have a look at what the Council Leader of Banstead and Reigate found out that the field near Hatch Lane was in fact, not in the Borough of Sutton at all.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Paul,

This is quite unbelievable. It makes absolutely no sense. So if a resident dropped off their clippings somewhere and when asked said 'it's ok, I'm saving petrol, will be back later', what would Cllr Hall say then? Surely it can't be one rule for him, another for us.

I'm also concerned that this fly-tipping appears to have occurred outside the borough. Does this mean Sutton will be fined by neighboring council's, and once again, the tax payer will be left to pick up the tab?

Surely Cllr Hall's position is now untenable. Good on you Paul, a vote of no confidence is the right thing to do. I've noticed, from the sample of public opinion in the Guardian's online comments section, public opinion is certainly on your side on this. Only Cllr McCoy's bizarre and out of touch open letter defends Cllr Hall.

Anonymous said...

Councillor,

I am totally speechless. This is incredible.

Will there a proper investigation rather than a whitewash?

This is very serious indeed.

Anonymous said...

You couldn't make it up...

Anonymous said...

Believe it guys, this week really sums up the absolute anarchy within the local Lib Dems.

Paul Burstow has been caught misusing expenses (again?), they are preaching to us and then we discover the COUNCIL is fly-tipping. They spin from one controversy to another.

Time for a change, big time!

Anonymous said...

Councillor,

Best of luck with your motion of confidence tabled for this evening. I hope that this will go some way to restore public confidence in the Council.

The architect of the garden waste tax needs to resign otherwise the Council will not be able to break from the stigma of this policy catastrophe.

I wonder if some of Councillor Colin Hall's own colleagues might break ranks to vote to restore public confidence?

Anonymous said...

I would support Reigate & Banstead Council if they do go ahead with plans to build a large trebuchet with which to return Sutton's waste.