Text your news & pics
Text your news or pictures (plus 'SLNEWS' or 'SLPICS') to 80360. click here for details »
Garden waste supremo faces confidence vote
2:14pm Wednesday 9th July 2008
Comments (27)The deputy leader of Sutton Council is facing growing calls to resign over the derided garden waste scheme which will cost householders nearly £1million.
Conservative councillors have tabled a motion of no confidence in Councillor Colin Hall who masterminded the £35 charge for hessian rubbish sacks.
"The recent backlash over his £35 garden waste collection charge has shown that Coun Hall has lost the confidence of several key colleagues as well as the council as a whole.”
Tory group leader Paul Scully
A source said the opposition group could win the support of ruling Liberal Democrat members who have registered dissent by failing to attend meetings.
The critical leadership test follows a huge public backlash and at least 20 recent reports of garden cuttings being dumped in streets across the borough.
Last week the Sutton Guardian revealed that only 5,000 of the 38,000 75-litre sacks had been ordered since new collections began in June.
Paul Scully, leader of the Tory group, said: "The opposition believes that it is in the best interests of the council and Sutton as a whole that Coun Hall steps down from his position as executive councillor for the environment.
"Regrettably, he has presided over a catalogue of unmitigated failures in several key areas. The recent backlash over his £35 garden waste collection charge has shown that he has lost the confidence of several key colleagues as well as the council as a whole."
"It is important that someone takes full responsibility for this decision which shows how out of touch this administration can be."
Coun Scully is to propose the motion of no confidence at the council meeting on July 21. Conservatives have also detailed a list of grievances against the embattled Coun Hall.
As well as the green waste mayhem, they are unhappy about hour-long queues for the recycling centre in Kimpton Way, blocked drains and vehement anti-car policies.
Coun Hall has repeatedly claimed the fee encourages more residents to break down waste at the back of their gardens.
This week he said: "We know that some residents do not support our new garden waste collection service but I would say to the small number of residents who have resorted to fly-tipping, it is not the answer.
"It is extremely anti-social and we have a strong track record of catching and prosecuting offenders. Instead, residents have the opportunity to tell us what they think about all of our waste and recycling services this summer, in advance of a cross-party review in September."
Funds from the service have been committed to kerbside glass collections. Last month the local authority recycled 497 tonnes of glass, double the amount over the same period last year.
Your Say YourYour Local Guardian
Nicky, Sutton says...
5:24pm Wed 9 Jul 08
sue, South Cheam says...
6:02pm Wed 9 Jul 08
Matty, Sutton says...
6:26pm Wed 9 Jul 08
Nicky wrote:Vote green, give somebody else a chance to get in power. The top 3 political parties all have this smug grin on their faces and lie through the skin on their teeth because they ARE the top 3 parties!
I used to vote for the Liberal democrats but after this new tax on garden waste I won't be doing so again.They have this stupid policy to blame. They have lost my support forever.I find myself surprisingly in agreement with the Tory party on this. they will get my vote to oust these morons, either that or I will vote green.
John, Sutton says...
9:02pm Wed 9 Jul 08
Alastair Davis, Purley (sutton Ratepayer) says...
11:19pm Wed 9 Jul 08
Cleary that has not happened given the overwhelming lack of support for the policy to introduce pay and colect for garden waste.
Our nearest neighbours Croydon Council have introduced a free garden collection, but not only that at the South Croydon depot you can take gadren waste and collect compost in return free of charge!
Our Council have let us down badly and if this councellor has acted alone he should go, but if they all supported it, then they face the consequences at the next election.
Les, Sutton says...
4:57am Thu 10 Jul 08
Its all a bit rotten and smelly.
Jen, Sutton, Surrey, UK says...
12:19pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Bill Grundy, says...
6:55pm Thu 10 Jul 08
Les wrote:You're right Les, councils keep telling us they are short of money. They might be, but only because of crackpot policies like this one, their gilt-edged pensions (which we are all subsidising as our disappear down the pan) and massive pay rises. I wonder what the council's chief executive thinks about the government's call for pay restraint?
Do I remember reading that; at the same time that the garden waste service was taken away from the Sutton taxpayer, council employees were voting themselves massive pay rises? Its all a bit rotten and smelly.
"Only for the oiks," probably.
Nigel, Wallington says...
9:55am Fri 11 Jul 08
The liberal democrats have been in too long and that's why they think that they can get away with this sort of policy.
I have no confidence in the status quo and we need a change.
Cllr. Jayne McCoy, Wallington says...
12:49pm Fri 11 Jul 08
I have just learned of your proposed vote of no confidence and wanted to express how appalled I am that you have stooped to using personal scapegoating in order to further your own partyÂ’s political aspirations. It is truly a despicable and unjustified measure. Cllr HallÂ’s far-sightedness during his time as lead member for environment has ensured that Sutton is at the forefront in reducing the impact our residents have on the planet; meanwhile the Tory party were still arguing about whether climate change is real or not. If anyone is to take the blame for the failure of the green waste collection scheme it is you for whipping up the publicÂ’s negative feelings about the change and encouraging flytipping, instead of supporting the underlying principle of waste minimisation and its beneficial effect on council tax rates. I think your approach is an example of the lowest form of political manoeuvring and you and those of your colleagues who support this motion should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. Be in no doubt that I will be expressing these views in the council chamber on 21st July.
Councillor Jayne McCoy
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Wallington South
Alastair Davis, Purley (sutton ratepayer) says...
3:08pm Fri 11 Jul 08
I sincerely hope that you will not be so smug when the next election results are known.
Despite what you say do not forget that it was your council that introduced the garden collection scheme and said at the time you would receycle the waste and sell compost, which you did not do. You could have simply started to do this being in a mcuh better position than many to do so.
It seems odd to alter this system at a time when Croydon Council has introduced a free collection amongst other initiatives and has managed to do so without imposing a stealth tax and a normal tax rise, whereas you have taken away a service that was previously included in our rates and replaced it with a chargeable system per bag which is much smaller than before, with a maximum of 3 bags, which for many people would cost over a £100.00 a year. In real terms tax rises of over 10% this year.
Thanks and that is why many people have said no thanks.
David, Cheam says...
3:28pm Fri 11 Jul 08
She says this forthcoming motion of no confidence is personal – I can’t see how. It is not impugning the man’s honour or attacking his character. He is the Cabinet member (Executive Cabinet member at that) for the Environment. This **** up is on his watch. What’s more, he didn’t consult the public first, probably a political decision he took precisely because he knew people would be outraged by the £35 charge (again, without being whipped up by one or two opposition Cllrs as Cllr McCoy would no doubt attest). If he had consulted first, he might not be in this mess. I presume he is happy to take personal responsibility when things go well and plaudits are around? He should take personal responsibility when things go wrong.
In summary, Cllr Hall is the Executive Member for the Environment; for holding that responsible position he presumably gets paid more than other Cllrs; he did not consult the public over a major change he pushed through; people are angry and the scheme is not working; he is being taken to task for his failure on this issue by having this vote of no confidence in him; that is the correct course of action; however, his resignation might be more honourable.
And if Cllr McCoy thinks residents only get angry with the Council because random tories ‘whip them up’ she and the Lib Dems running the Council are more arrogant and out of touch than I ever thought possible.
Apologies for the length of the post but, under the circumstances, I think it is justifed!
David D
Cheam
Christ Grant, Wallington says...
7:14pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Les, Sutton says...
9:23pm Fri 11 Jul 08
You write a self-defeating argument and convince me more than ever that the council is run by dictators who can never, ever be wrong about anything and have zero regard for those that actually PAY THEIR WAGES.
Even without Mr Scully, I think we can work it out for ourselves that we are being ripped-off and sold short.
Jan, Sutton, Surrey, UK says...
9:54pm Fri 11 Jul 08
Dave Peers, Sutton says...
7:59am Sat 12 Jul 08
You said.
If anyone is to take the blame for the failure of the green waste collection scheme it is you for whipping up the publicÂ’s negative feelings about the change and encouraging flytipping, instead of supporting the underlying principle of waste minimisation and its beneficial effect on council tax rates.
Firstly I'm glad you acknowledge the scheme as a failure. Are you so dim as to fail to understand that we 'the electorate', (may I remind you) are sick to death of seeing our council taxes increase year-on-year while top council employees award themselves massive pay rises and preserve their 'golden egg' retirement schemes? Meanwhile we the taxpayer find ourselves taxed, fined and squeezed with every turn of this rotten government and you have the temerity to charge us £35 per bag of garden waste, a service that last year was inclusive in our council tax. Even the dumbest of the dumb can see this is a tax rise. It is because of this punitive tax and the taxes you levy on collecting rubbish that has caused the increase in fly-tipping. Your policies are so defunct you are turning Sutton into Noddy's Toy Town with the garishly painted roads throughout the borough and the endless speed humps and ridiculous red junctions. Do utility companiies reinstate these when they dig them up? No! So more council tax is spent on doing so... what a waste of money. Do us all a favour and follow cllr Hall out the door...
Mrs L Greyson, Wallington (SCRAP THIS TAX!) says...
10:33am Sat 12 Jul 08
You’re not listening – we, your residents, people who even voted for YOU, have told you time, and time, and time again that we don’t want this charge. We’ve told you we pay too much council tax already, we’ve told you we want our basic services to improve, we’ve told you we want our drains clean, streets swept, rubbish collected.
CanÂ’t you see, weÂ’re getting taxed into oblivion here on every level!! This garden tax is skimming want little left some local people have.
The Conservatives have got it right on this issue, councillor, and your blind loyalty to councilor Colin Hall will cost you your position. As local people weÂ’re not going to put up with it anymore, donÂ’t you see? YouÂ’re not listening to any of us!this garden tax has to go and so does its architects!
Francesgar, Sutton, Surrey, UK says...
12:33pm Sat 12 Jul 08
Albert & Jean McDonald, Sutton says...
7:08pm Sat 12 Jul 08
The second fact is that garden waste is composted by the council and then it is used for landscaping or is given away. It does not go to landfill and it does not attract a landfill charge. Given correspondence with Jayne, she doesn’t seem to understand this and neither does Colin Hall who, it would seem, has just cost Sutton residents £1,000,000 for nothing.
Anyone who actually knows anything about the environment, rather than just leaping on some “save the planet or the world is doomed bandwagon” will realise that the increased number of car trips to the tip will with garden waste this year will increase the carbon dioxide emissions in Sutton by between 3,000 and 6,000 tonnes.... and that’s the equivalent to over a tonne for every little green bag that’s been sold. Hasn’t anyone in the Lib Dems ever heard of environmental cost-benefit analysis?
Jayne has made no secret on her blog that her allowances as a councillor this year have increased from £17,000 to nearly £20,000: that's a huge 16% increase and certainly enough to make a person lose touch with the real world. She is just one of 54 councillors who represent between them 0.00002% (yes that’s the correct number of decimal places) of the global population. When the Lib Dem council was re-elected with a greatly reduced majority in 2006 they promised that their aim was “to continue to work hard, to improve the quality of services and to provide every better value for money.” If Jayne now sees herself and Colin Hall on some sort of planetary mission... she should resign her £20,000 a year part time role as a councillor, fight a by-election and argue her case at an open public meeting in front of Sutton residents.
Bob, Cheam says...
1:10pm Sun 13 Jul 08
"Cllr HallÂ’s far-sightedness during his time as lead member for environment has ensured that Sutton is at the forefront in reducing the impact our residents have on the planet"
Really? So more people using their vehicles to transport their garden waste to the Sutton refuse site is good for the environment how exactly? I won't expect an answer to my simple question as it's too taxing for anyone on Sutton council to engage both braincells at the same time.
Anon, Belmont says...
2:46pm Sun 13 Jul 08
I agree with every word - and all the results of this stupid policy were pointed out back in April. There was time for re-thinking then. But was anyone listening? You really do not need 3 months of the busiest time for waste to see how badly the scheme needed a re-think - it was obvious four months ago. Waiting until September simply adds fuel to the fire - oh, we don't need to add any more fuel, do we? - we have all the garden waste to burn.
And as for the quote from Councillor Hall that "some residents do not support our new garden waste collection service" - some??! - Have you been reading the letters Councillor Hall? or listening as you clain you do? and
"....residents have the opportunity to tell us what they think about all of our waste and recycling services this summer, in advance of a cross-party review in September." Do they now? But they've been telling you for months, long before it started. Open your ears Mr Hall. And as for Ms McCoy -I should keep quiet if I were you - you are making a bad situation worse.
Both of you - try LISTENING to those who live here and who pay your allowances
simon, sutton says...
6:01pm Sun 13 Jul 08
i'll never vote liberal again.
Cllr David Pickles, Belmont ward says...
11:39pm Mon 14 Jul 08
tara, worcester park says...
11:49pm Mon 14 Jul 08
no one wants this charge ur forcing on us
we work hard for our money why are u hitting us even harder!
Alex, Cheam says...
12:45am Wed 16 Jul 08
How can Cllr McCoy seriously try and spin this as somehow the Conservatives or the public's fault? She is the only one looking for a scapegoat.
I am fed up of the Lib Dem's always trying to blame someone else when they get it wrong. Cllr Hall is the Executive Cabinet member, he is ultimately responsible. If he does not stand down gracefully, then surely Sean Brennan will have to consider sacking him!
The Lib Dems need to get a grip!
simon, sutton says...
7:14am Wed 16 Jul 08
coun hall should take the responsibility for his acrtion and leave
Under pressure: Councillor Colin Hall pushed through the unpopular £35 collection charge
In this section
- Sutton second highest teenage road incidents in London
- Sally Anne's mum reveals how DNA saved boyfriend from jail
- Duo to tackle every tube station in London
- Carshalton College student picks up learning award
- Sutton protesters celebrate Government pledge
- Football coach arrested after picnic protest threat
- Night bus campaigners plan town centre protest
- Camra searches for charity to benefit from beer festival
- Arctic explorers tell tale of the ice
- The falcon has landed...in our parking space
Sponsored Links
Local Links
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Mark Rose, Wallington says...
3:12pm Wed 9 Jul 08
He will never get a penny off me or my wife.
Time to go, mate.