Apparently two-weekly collections of rubbish (that is collections every two weeks, rather than two every week) are now in place in more than half of Councils.

Some commentators are making this about the political colour of the local Council but the truth is many Councils around the country are having to do this and from all parties. For the sake of clarity, Adur will not collect two-weekly.

But the reason for the two-weekly collections in other places is (like the change we are considering: the merger of Adur and Worthing’s Services) because of funding. Despite the fact that council tax is rising at as near to the 5% that central government allows each year, the amount of funding that the councils receives is still reducing. To exacerbate this, the government is increasing regulation and responsibilities for local councils every year without providing the necessary increase in funding that that inevitably causes.

If you are angry about bi-weekly collections, by all means tell your Councillor, but also tell your MP and Gordon Brown. All aspects of British society are drowing in ever increasing numbers of forms and regulations –Councils too, as I say — but there’s no reason this couldn’t be reversed. Don’t blame those locally who are trying to squeeze some service out of their meagre financial rations; instead blame the Labour Party centrally and tell those in power in London that you know who’s to blame.


Posted In: Political, England, Tax, News and Politics, Labour, Shoreham, Environment, Local, Southwick, Adur, Democracy, Council, Lancing, Gordon Brown