LETTER: Rubbish attitude

Arun District Council knew before the recent election the termination date of the Biffa contract.

According to the Arun Times (their publication) there was a very high turnout for the election: Arundel and Walberton 72.94 per cent, East Preston 72.9 per cent, Ferring 76.67 per cent and Middleton 72.8 per cent.

By the way, I see that Littlehampton and Bognor Regis are not even worthy of a mention!

How many of the electorate realised that the bin collection frequency could (and almost certainly will) be reduced in the interest of saving money?

While appreciating, as I’ve said before, that council financial viability is essential, so is the service for which we all pay.

In fairness we are very much aware of the efficient way, especially evenings and weekends, that the green and seafront are kept free from litter.

This, together with the efforts of Littlehampton Town Council to keep things neat and tidy, and flower borders beautifully stocked, make the town and surrounding areas a magnet for visitors too.

A decline in waste services could be disastrous.

I see that, yet again, consultants have been employed – Ricardo AEA, whose recommendations seem to suggest a saving of £7.9 million over ten years.

Why does the district council always need consultants, no matter how good their reputation, when a big decision is to be made?

Surely in a democracy the elected representatives, supported by their professional officers, could achieve a common sense outcome.

But then again we have the cabinet arrangement to be rubber stamped by the back benchers.

Of course the savings, which appear to be £448,000 on current costs, will not be so great when one considers the price of cleaning up after seagulls by day, and foxes or rats by night, and in addition contamination of recycling material by some people who might find their general waste bins overflowing and thus use the recycle facility.

This would also make a mockery of our current, excellent recycling record.

Of course any savings could also be applied to pay for ensuing groups of consultants!

I am afraid, like it or not, the current attitude and behaviour of Arun District Council only encourages cynicism and conspiracy theories.

Margaret Boulton

Beach Crescent

Littlehampton

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