Council war of words over waste collections

Sheffield Council will receive a £1.2m rebate from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive this year and the Lib Dem group called for the cash to be spent on the service.

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Sheffield City Council, said: “This unexpected windfall for Sheffield provides us with a great opportunity to save the green waste recycling service.

“This was due to be axed by Labour despite the fact they also plan to end the weekly bin collection service at the same time.

“Labour councillors should listen to our call and use the windfall to reverse their decision.

“Not only would this save a vital local service and allow people to continue recycling, it would also save local jobs.”

But Coun Bryan Lodge, the leading Labour group’s finance spokesman, said the authority was facing £55m cuts this year and had bigger priorities.

He added: “When the Government are cutting services which are hitting the most vulnerable and their failure to grow the economy and create jobs is leading to record levels of unemployment, it appears that the only priority for the Lib Dems is bins.

“Details of this money have only just emerged and there is not much detail available at this stage, but it is clear that much of this is one-off funding. It seems the Lib Dems are clutching at straws with this as they would just be storing up problems for years to come

“What we do know is that ceasing the green waste service saves £1.5m and in light of the savings we have to make if we do not take these difficult decisions, we will have to make even deeper cuts to other services.”

Sheffield Council’s cabinet yesterday approved plans to end weekly bin collections, in a bid to save £2.4m a year.