At the May Overview & Scrutiny (O&S) meeting, we reviewed the proposals for changes to Waste Collection. The administration plans to remove the so called ‘Bring Site’ service which are the collection bins at supermarkets and car parks. This will save a modest £30kPA, but will allow for the introduction of statutory kerbside collection of plastic bags and wrapping from April 2027.
Less palatable are their plans to change other collections – paper and card are to be amalgamated, but we will continue to use the dreadful blue sacks, despite acknowledging they are not fit for purpose due to the increased volume of card from households. With Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) now very much being planned, I asked why we couldn’t adopt a ‘mixed recycling’ approach with appropriate bins, such as those used in the Stroud district, especially as we are ordering brand new bin lorries. The response was that it wasn’t possible as we have a large stock of blue bags! So, dear reader, we will be stuck with these horrible things for at least another 6 years! The final piece of their plan is to reduce the size of the residual waste black bins – for all new homes, and any replacement bins will be 140 litres instead of the current 180. These measures were later agreed buy the Cabinet.
Several updates for long running water issues around Cherington and Avening – after 6 years, the Environment Agency are reviewing recently received reparation plans from a local landowner who created a new dam without permission and damaged the associated water course, contributing to the Avening brook repeatedly running dry – I will be able to comment on the plans in due course. In a related action, the long-awaited report into the impacts of abstraction on our local waterways is due for publication in the next few weeks.
However, the reason for continued sewage discharges into the stream still hasn’t been explained, and I have chased Severn Trent for an urgent response.
I sometimes share with you the topics I receive in my inbox – the vast majority relate to run of the mill queries on potholes (report these via Fix My Street), closed roads (very annoying when unnecessary), planning and enforcement issues, and rubbish collection. However, the last week has thrown up a couple of unusual cases – I had a report of a bin man relieving himself on more than one occasion on private land! The resident reported this to CDC, and I took it up the line to senior management who were equally shocked. The individual wasn’t identified, but crews were reminded they should use the welfare procedures issued to them and not have a ‘country one’ in people’s gardens.
I had a call from a lady in distress because a grass snake had become trapped in a garden net. I didn’t know any local snake charmers, so donned some wellies and was able to free the stricken reptile. It was a little worse for wear but slid off into the undergrowth to nurse its damaged tail.
Councillor Tony Slater
Cotswold District Council, Representing Grumbolds Ash with Avening.
email: Tony.slater@cotswold.gov.uk Tel: 07793669930