UPDATED: Councillors approve fortnightly black bin collections (From Warrington Guardian)

gerrumonside wrote:
How many redundancies......? Ohh and I cant wait for one of those warm Summers with toddlers nappies and the Cat litter contents left in a hot black bin for a month. but I suppose if WE dont like WE should then have to Jolly well make a trip to the local refuse centre and drop the bags off ourselves, thereby making savings for the councill but increasing OUR OWN costs and increasing our Carbon footprint.... I appreciate this is the Governments idea being forced on Councils up and down the country but for a large number of Families it's not the worlds greatest idea is it?

Nick Tessla wrote:

gerrumonside wrote:
How many redundancies......? Ohh and I cant wait for one of those warm Summers with toddlers nappies and the Cat litter contents left in a hot black bin for a month. but I suppose if WE dont like WE should then have to Jolly well make a trip to the local refuse centre and drop the bags off ourselves, thereby making savings for the councill but increasing OUR OWN costs and increasing our Carbon footprint.... I appreciate this is the Governments idea being forced on Councils up and down the country but for a large number of Families it's not the worlds greatest idea is it?

Where do you get a month from.


An idea being forced on councils by the government? I seem to recall money being offered to local councils to keep the weekly collection and tory minister Eric Pickles describing the weekly collection as a right.


This is the Labour council's decision and , much as I hate to say it, I think it is the right one.

gerrumonside wrote:
How many redundancies......? Ohh and I cant wait for one of those warm Summers with toddlers nappies and the Cat litter contents left in a hot black bin for a month. but I suppose if WE dont like WE should then have to Jolly well make a trip to the local refuse centre and drop the bags off ourselves, thereby making savings for the councill but increasing OUR OWN costs and increasing our Carbon footprint.... I appreciate this is the Governments idea being forced on Councils up and down the country but for a large number of Families it's not the worlds greatest idea is it?

gerrumonside wrote:
How many redundancies......? Ohh and I cant wait for one of those warm Summers with toddlers nappies and the Cat litter contents left in a hot black bin for a month. but I suppose if WE dont like WE should then have to Jolly well make a trip to the local refuse centre and drop the bags off ourselves, thereby making savings for the councill but increasing OUR OWN costs and increasing our Carbon footprint.... I appreciate this is the Governments idea being forced on Councils up and down the country but for a large number of Families it's not the worlds greatest idea is it?

old-codger wrote:
Question for Geoff Settle, Are we going to get bigger bins so as to get through a fortnightly collection, We have recyle bins for glass, tins, paper and plastic bottles, shoe,s and leather products but a bigger black bin will be needed to last two weeks... .

sankeymum wrote:
So mums of all toddlers.. Knowmenot would suggest we switch all our children from disposable nappies... (a) a toddler cannot be switched at age 2!. (b) It is far more expensive in the short term. (c) In order to have the time to manage this, I would have to reduce my working hours Secondly - CatLitter - some animals need this because they CANNOT go outside, e.g., animals with health issues, house cats. Don't be so ridiculous! and talk about something you clearly know nothing about! As per my previous point, yes, there are many people who do not require a full bin each week, many that can recycle more, but there are also many families who are doing all of the sensible things with recycling, crushing bottles etc and still need a weekly service or larger bin I have noticed on the councils website that you can purchase an additional blue bin, I will be ordering one today!

Geoff Settle wrote:
As far as I know the bins will remain the same size. If people are filling their bin in a week then maybe they need to consider what they are throwing away – have they bought too much and end up wasting stuff, was it really needed? What about the products, is the packing too excessive or required at all…….. To answer Nick’s question I don’t know why the schedule is as it is during Christmas for blue bins, mine was collected last Tuesday and won’t be again until 2nd January but as Christmas Day and New Year’s day falls on a Tuesday and the lads deserve a Christmas break then I may have to revisit my blue bin and repack/crush some of the contents.

cookie1974 wrote:

sankeymum wrote:
So mums of all toddlers.. Knowmenot would suggest we switch all our children from disposable nappies... (a) a toddler cannot be switched at age 2!. (b) It is far more expensive in the short term. (c) In order to have the time to manage this, I would have to reduce my working hours Secondly - CatLitter - some animals need this because they CANNOT go outside, e.g., animals with health issues, house cats. Don't be so ridiculous! and talk about something you clearly know nothing about! As per my previous point, yes, there are many people who do not require a full bin each week, many that can recycle more, but there are also many families who are doing all of the sensible things with recycling, crushing bottles etc and still need a weekly service or larger bin I have noticed on the councils website that you can purchase an additional blue bin, I will be ordering one today!

So what would you do if Disposable nappies were no longer available? Yes more expensive in the short term but only for the initial layout! To manage this you would need to reduce your working hours??? REALLY???

All valid points made by Knowmenot, but because it is hard work and not convenient people just trash it!

cookie1974 wrote:

sankeymum wrote:
So mums of all toddlers.. Knowmenot would suggest we switch all our children from disposable nappies... (a) a toddler cannot be switched at age 2!. (b) It is far more expensive in the short term. (c) In order to have the time to manage this, I would have to reduce my working hours Secondly - CatLitter - some animals need this because they CANNOT go outside, e.g., animals with health issues, house cats. Don't be so ridiculous! and talk about something you clearly know nothing about! As per my previous point, yes, there are many people who do not require a full bin each week, many that can recycle more, but there are also many families who are doing all of the sensible things with recycling, crushing bottles etc and still need a weekly service or larger bin I have noticed on the councils website that you can purchase an additional blue bin, I will be ordering one today!

So what would you do if Disposable nappies were no longer available? Yes more expensive in the short term but only for the initial layout! To manage this you would need to reduce your working hours??? REALLY???

All valid points made by Knowmenot, but because it is hard work and not convenient people just trash it!

To answer Nick’s question I don’t know why the schedule is as it is during Christmas for blue bins

Bhindi wrote:
Just start dumping all your extra rubbish on town hall lawns ! To go with all the bull crap inside it.

Would love to go to a WBC meeting just to see what go on . I think its time that the people that run this show started looking in there own back pockets for cuts .

Geoff Settle wrote:
I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together - surely you don't expect every councillor to have a say in deciding what bins are collected when do you?
The waste management team manage that process.
I received a copy of the schedule yesterday when it was sent out to all councillors and it looks fine to me. Obviously if it had been a bag of nuts I would have challenged it.
I can see the logic of how it was put together and it appears balanced, even if I do have a long wait until the 2nd January.

SAC_in_Warrington wrote:

Geoff Settle wrote:
I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together - surely you don't expect every councillor to have a say in deciding what bins are collected when do you?
The waste management team manage that process.
I received a copy of the schedule yesterday when it was sent out to all councillors and it looks fine to me. Obviously if it had been a bag of nuts I would have challenged it.
I can see the logic of how it was put together and it appears balanced, even if I do have a long wait until the 2nd January.

So you totally disregarded the opinion of your local constituents and voted any way, and perhaps with the other Councillors of your political persuasion, a three line whip, was it?

Geoff Settle wrote:

SAC_in_Warrington wrote:

Geoff Settle wrote: I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together - surely you don't expect every councillor to have a say in deciding what bins are collected when do you? The waste management team manage that process. I received a copy of the schedule yesterday when it was sent out to all councillors and it looks fine to me. Obviously if it had been a bag of nuts I would have challenged it. I can see the logic of how it was put together and it appears balanced, even if I do have a long wait until the 2nd January.

So you totally disregarded the opinion of your local constituents and voted any way, and perhaps with the other Councillors of your political persuasion, a three line whip, was it?

I don't understand this statement of yours - there was no vote that I am aware of about the festive collection service. As far as I am aware of only one of my local constituents is posting on this thread unless you would like to out yourself? My local constituents know how to contact me and do. It has always been standard for a Christmas/New Year to be issued to help people regardless of political persuasion and it's never required any whipping of any sort. It's non-political and purely functional as I have explained above. The only time this has changed was when the snow and ice arrived a year or so ago and disrupted the planned service. I went out and delivered leaflets informing local residents about the revised schedule until I fell on the ice and cracked a number of ribs and then I’m afraid I was forced to pack that idea in. So I do try and keep them informed.

I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together - surely you don't expect every councillor to have a say in deciding what bins are collected when do you?
The waste management team manage that process.

yazhoo1 wrote:

I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together - surely you don't expect every councillor to have a say in deciding what bins are collected when do you?
The waste management team manage that process.

Geoff, yes there IS something wrong with you not knowing. The fact you don't even realise it is a problem just speaks volumes.

We DO expect you to know how and why a schedule was put together. We DO expect you to know what is happening at the council and why decisions are being made... because that is WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED FOR.

If you are just sitting back and letting the officers run the Town, like they have always done, then the people of Poulton North should use their votes at the next election to get rid of you. You are a waste of taxpayers money otherwise.

Tell us, Geoff, what input you have had into the decision to move bin collections to a fortnightly service? Have you consulted your constituents on this change? Have you represented their views to the "Councillors" who made this decision?

"I don't know what's wrong with me not knowing how the schedule is put together" = councillors admit they aren't running the town. Same old story.

I have however been involved in the wider aspects of the new proposals and given input with regard to my constituents.

Billy Lines-Rowlands wrote:
Hi Nick I'm not sure what an "open Government" is but it would be unproffesional of me to conduct this any further as far as naming portfolio holders etc online. I can confirm I have emailed the portfolio holder and if you wish to email myself then I can pass it on. I'm not here to argue Nick, I'm actually trying to clear this up for you as I would any other resident. If you wish to reply back stating party politics and using your freedom of speech then fine mate, I'm ok with that. But if you wish to email me your concern I will be evern happier. Just please don't argue when I'm actually trying to help you. Merry Christmas/Seasons Greeting/Happy Holidays Billy

If your constituents in Poulton North tell you overwhelmingly that they don't want this, will you both oppose it or are you too frightened of Terry O'Neill to take a stand of your own?

I will post no more comments on this subject

Billy Lines-Rowlands wrote:
Sorry SAC, as I posted I missed your Question.

Simple: Without EXTRA recycling opportunities, to simply cut back the black bin collections would be wrong-and to assume that people will easily adjust is wrong.

yazhoo1 wrote:

I have however been involved in the wider aspects of the new proposals and given input with regard to my constituents.

Thats great Geoff. Can you tell us what your involvement has been? What input did you give? Are you for or against the fortnightly bin collections?

Geoff Settle wrote:

yazhoo1 wrote:

I have however been involved in the wider aspects of the new proposals and given input with regard to my constituents.

Thats great Geoff. Can you tell us what your involvement has been? What input did you give? Are you for or against the fortnightly bin collections?

It’s my day of voluntary work and I've been stuck in traffic taking my passengers home all over Warrington.
It does seem like you've been having a great time though in my absence. Billy is finding out why very few Councillors take part in these discussion forums, or should I say perhaps they do but as an alias :-).
I was asked about my involvement – now of course whatever I say can be taken any which way – I took part in one of the projects to encourage residents to use the Blue Bins in Poulton North earlier in the year and the uptake was very good. In addition I attended the all-party presentation and discussion at the Town Hall where the waste manager explained the history of the service in Warrington and what had been learnt, he explained the benefits and reasons for the proposed changes. I have taken sound bites and some residents like the idea some don’t – just as has become clear above. However when some of the people against the idea , have understood how they can make better use of the blue bin and the savings that could accrue, they start to warm to it. I am currently Deputy Chair of Resources and Finance and as we all know budgetary pressures mean that we have to reduce costs and find more efficient ways of providing services. I am also on the Climate Change Board where Recycling plays a key role and getting people signed up to recycling is a very important part. I have also attended the primary school visits to promote recycling. This not only teachers our youngsters about the topic but it is hoped that they will pass on the message to their parents and guardians to change their ways and use the Blue Bins.
So you can see that I am in favour of a move to recycling, as we recycle more then we need the Black bin less and less – the balance is changing in favour of the blue and green
So I am in favour of the proposed fortnightly system but as Billy says let your councillors know one way or another and your reasons why.

It’s my day of voluntary work and I've been stuck in traffic taking my passengers home all over Warrington.
It does seem like you've been having a great time though in my absence. Billy is finding out why very few Councillors take part in these discussion forums, or should I say perhaps they do but as an alias :-).
I was asked about my involvement – now of course whatever I say can be taken any which way – I took part in one of the projects to encourage residents to use the Blue Bins in Poulton North earlier in the year and the uptake was very good. In addition I attended the all-party presentation and discussion at the Town Hall where the waste manager explained the history of the service in Warrington and what had been learnt, he explained the benefits and reasons for the proposed changes. I have taken sound bites and some residents like the idea some don’t – just as has become clear above. However when some of the people against the idea , have understood how they can make better use of the blue bin and the savings that could accrue, they start to warm to it. I am currently Deputy Chair of Resources and Finance and as we all know budgetary pressures mean that we have to reduce costs and find more efficient ways of providing services. I am also on the Climate Change Board where Recycling plays a key role and getting people signed up to recycling is a very important part. I have also attended the primary school visits to promote recycling. This not only teachers our youngsters about the topic but it is hoped that they will pass on the message to their parents and guardians to change their ways and use the Blue Bins.
So you can see that I am in favour of a move to recycling, as we recycle more then we need the Black bin less and less – the balance is changing in favour of the blue and green
So I am in favour of the proposed fortnightly system but as Billy says let your councillors know one way or another and your reasons why.

yazhoo1 wrote:

It’s my day of voluntary work and I've been stuck in traffic taking my passengers home all over Warrington.
It does seem like you've been having a great time though in my absence. Billy is finding out why very few Councillors take part in these discussion forums, or should I say perhaps they do but as an alias :-).
I was asked about my involvement – now of course whatever I say can be taken any which way – I took part in one of the projects to encourage residents to use the Blue Bins in Poulton North earlier in the year and the uptake was very good. In addition I attended the all-party presentation and discussion at the Town Hall where the waste manager explained the history of the service in Warrington and what had been learnt, he explained the benefits and reasons for the proposed changes. I have taken sound bites and some residents like the idea some don’t – just as has become clear above. However when some of the people against the idea , have understood how they can make better use of the blue bin and the savings that could accrue, they start to warm to it. I am currently Deputy Chair of Resources and Finance and as we all know budgetary pressures mean that we have to reduce costs and find more efficient ways of providing services. I am also on the Climate Change Board where Recycling plays a key role and getting people signed up to recycling is a very important part. I have also attended the primary school visits to promote recycling. This not only teachers our youngsters about the topic but it is hoped that they will pass on the message to their parents and guardians to change their ways and use the Blue Bins.
So you can see that I am in favour of a move to recycling, as we recycle more then we need the Black bin less and less – the balance is changing in favour of the blue and green
So I am in favour of the proposed fortnightly system but as Billy says let your councillors know one way or another and your reasons why.

Thank you Geoff, for at least telling us where you stand. Credit to you for this honest and open explonation.

But it seems that the Poulton North councillors don't have a consistent view on this. Question is Geoff, will your fellow councillor Billy end up facing the wrath of Terry O'Neill if he doesn't 'tow the Party line'?

Geoff Settle wrote:
Just to let you know spared on by your questions I've been out to look at the contents of my Blue Bin.
It was nearly half full but after a couple of minutes ripping up boxes, squashing milk cartons and cans it is now only 1/4tr full.
This means that the recylable material was made up of 50% fresh air.