Hebweb news 2008: Talks break down: Sita reject Kerbside

Talks break down: Sita reject Kerbside

Tuesday, 9 December 2008

Kerbside have told the Hebden Bridge Web that they went back to the council and Sita with the community's view that any deal must include the kerbside recycling collections. (See Hebweb News, 29 November)

The council have not responded, but Sita have:

"Paul, further to your email to Jonathan Phillips on the 2nd December 2008, I am emailing you to now confirm SITA UK Ltds position.

As you have clarified that the offer of undertaking bulky waste collections on our behalf as part of the contract is conditional on carrying on with kerbside recycling collections, we will therefore be unable to secure a deal moving forward. Following the recent re-opening of negotiations, SITA UK Ltds position has been clear that Kerbside (Calderdale) carrying on with recycling collections as part of the contract was not an option.

For your information we have also informed the Council of our position.

Regards
Nick Browning General Manager SITA UK"

Paul Brannigan, Chief Executive of Kerbside said today, "Once we knew we had no contract anymore, we put a 2 year strategy in place in July 08. That strategy works whether we can continue collections or not. It is clear that reason, common sense and the common good hold no sway with the Calderdale Cabinet. What does though is hitting targets.

"Hence we are encouraging 2 things:
1. Write to Calderdale stating that irrespective of Kerbside's survival you will not use the council recycling service.
2. Return your green box to the Town Hall or a communal collection point for bulk delivery to the Town Hall. We cannot touch the green boxes so we are relying on the community to set them up and let us know where they are so we can inform others.

"The Cabinet will continue to walk over the people they represent unless they are taking some pain. There aren't many opportunities to deliver this pain, but the recycling target is a golden opportunity. I don't care what colour someone's political shirt is, but Cabinet members all wear blue shirts. The Cabinet holds the power, the Conservatives hold the power. It is likely that retention of power is high up in their list of priorities so I guess the potential loss of power in local or national elections is something that may cause them to act and avoid the pain of loss of power.

"The Cabinet is made up of:
Cllr Ian Cooper - Community Services (we have massive support from the officers in community services, but have heard nothing from this cabinet member)
Cllr Craig Whittaker - Children (Conservative Candidate for the next election)
Cllr Graham Reason - Recycling and Adults with Learning Disabilities (a perfect fit with Kerbside). Graham recently expressed his displeasure at what Kerbside does, despite repeated refusals to visit us. Is this why we have had so many problems?
Cllr Stephen Baines - Leader (Mobile
Cllr Amanda Byrne - Regen
Cllr Graham Hall - Deputy Leader
Cllr David Kirton - Corporate Services"

Those who are concerned about Kerbside are encourage to use the email links above to contact members of the Cabinet and let them know your views. For those who prefer to text mobile numbers of most the above are on the this Calderdale web page.

Correspondents in the Hebweb Forum have also been urging people to write to Hazel Blears to ask her why this "much loved and top performing community recycler was completely sidelined by Calderdale".

One correspondent has suggested we may use Calderdale's complaints procedure. This online form to use is called 'Tell us how we're doing'.

The Hebweb reported in the summer that one member of the Cabinet spoke in support of Kerbside at the demonstration outside Halifax Town Hall. This was Cllr Craig Whittaker - Conservative Candidate for the next election

Finally, Paul Brannigan has written to the Hebweb Forum appealing for help in publicising Kerbside's case: "I can facilitate the focussing of your ideas and support, but really need someone(s) to compile contact details of everyone who has been in touch and through that look for someone(s) to communicate with supporters. Sounds a bit sad, but I can't keep up with everything unless human cloning moves on apace!"