Surrey Heath Recycling Hype Unmasked

3.04.34pm GMT Sat 28th Jan 2006

Recent decline in the Recycling Rate in Surrey Heath

Conservative Surrey Heath has publicly declared itself to be good at recycling, but the reality of the situation was revealed recently in figures released by DEFRA. These show that, far from leading the pack, Surrey Heath is now below average for the South East as a whole for recycling, and its recycling rate is actually falling!

As recently as November, 2005, Council papers have asserted that "The Council has been for many years in the top ten for recycling performance in England". However, in figures provided by DEFRA for 2003/4, Surrey Heath is seen to be only just in the top 50 of local authorities. Since then, other authorities have been moving forward, whilst Surrey Heath's performance stagnates. In figures recently released by DEFRA, Surrey Heath's performance in 2004/5 was 22.8%, 0.9% lower than the previous year, and now lower than the figure for the South-East as a whole (26%)!

Surrey Heath is falling behind when compared with other local councils. The best local performers are Wokingham (26.9%) and Guildford (26.9%). Hart is at 23.5% , Woking on 23.6% and Bracknell on 24%.

"Conservative hype is revealed for what it is by these latest figures", said Lib Dem Cllr Bob Smith. "Whilst other authorities have moved forward, Surrey Heath falls further and further behind. Until environmental issues are given a higher priority by this Council, we will see local performance continue to deteriorate when compared with our neighbours. Lib Dem councillors will press for progress on these issues,"

"This is another example of the effects of complacent Conservative control in Surrey Heath" said Cllr David Whitcroft, leader of the Lib Dem group on Surrey Heath Council. "Living off the achievements of their predecessors, the current crop of Conservative councillors have turned a blind eye to deteriorating performance. Coupled with their appalling financial management, and poor decision making, Surrey Heath is increasingly failing to address any of the significant issues facing the Borough. And all the time, the Council's reserves are being depleted and Council Tax continues to rise."