Conservatives Accused Of Secrecy Over Future Of Fortnightly Bin Collections

5.20.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 14th Aug 2007

A leading opposition Councillor, Barry Stamp, has today hit out at the way the Stafford Borough Council's Conservative Group are secrecy deciding whether or not to introduce fortnightly bin collections, while refusing to give other Councillors details of the options under consideration.

Liberal Democrat and Independent Group Leader Barry Stamp said he was appalled that opposition Councillors were being refused copies of the report which was being discussed behind closed doors by Conservative members.

"Over the last few days comments in the local press has made it clear that Officers in the Council's Environmental Health Department have produced a report for the Conservative run Cabinet which sets outs various options for the future of the weekly bin collection service. It is also clear that this report has been made available to all Conservative Councillors."

"However when I asked for a copy I was told it was a private Cabinet document and it was up to the Leader of the Council and her Cabinet colleagues as to who else it should be made available too."

"As this report deals with the future of one of the major services provided by the Council I am appalled it is being considered in secret behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny."

"Keeping the details away from opposition Councillors leaves everyone wondering just what the Conservatives are trying to hide and just how much they are polishing and tweaking the report so that when it is finally made available to the public it supports their point of view."

"To make matters worse as the final plan has been thrashed out and decided by all the Conservative Councillors in private there will be no real opportunity to scrutinise and make changes once it is finally made available. If the Cabinet feel they should make the report available to backbench Councillors surely it is only right it is made available to all of them and not just a chosen few."

"This is an appalling situation and does nothing to give anyone any confidence in the way the Council is being run," said Cllr Stamp.