Lib Dems Launch Environmental Mini-Manifesto (Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats)

Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats <info@ealinglibdems.org.uk>

Lib Dems Launch Environmental Mini-Manifesto

March 20, 2006 12:00 AM

Lib Dems campaigning for the council to recycle plastics

Liberal Democrats want our streets and open spaces to be clean and an enjoyable place to be around. However, Labour have now run the London Borough of Ealing for twelve years and our streets are dirtier than ever. The Council appointed a new contractor for collecting household waste, recyclables and sweeping the roads over 10 months ago but many problems still remain. The Lib Dems have committed to clean up Labour's mess if they take control in May.

Lib Dems have also been at the forefront of the campaign to persuade Ealing Council to give a higher priority to recycling and environmental issues in recent years. Nevertheless, Ealing Council still recycles a low proportion of waste and is likely to miss another government target. The Lib Dems believe that the Council could be doing a lot more.

Liberal Democrats will specifically:

• Ensure that the Borough's streets and open spaces are cleaned properly and more regularly. We will not hesitate to replace the service contracts of companies who are performing poorly.

• Introduce doorstep collection and recycling of plastics and cardboard as well as give incentives to residents who recycle their household waste. This will help reduce future government fines for low recycling rates.

• Make our streets less cluttered by immediately removing unnecessary street furniture, including out-of-date signs, and ensure that when new ones are installed they are both useful and do not block the path of pedestrians.

• Deal faster with graffiti and fly-tipping incidents and reduce the amount of litter by installing more bins and handing out more on-the-spot fines to people who litter.

• Introduce a full Environmental Audit of all the Council's activities. We will also publish an annual Environmental State of the Borough' Report so that residents can monitor our progress on green issues.

Cllr Jon Ball said: "Liberal Democrats believe that improving our environment and positive action on green issues are a priority for any well-run Council. If the first thing residents see every morning are dirty streets and walls covered with graffiti it reflects badly on the Council. Given all the money they spend, residents deserve to have their streets cleaned properly and regularly, rubbish collected on time and more items recycled in the Borough."

Jon Ball added: "Lib Dems will clean up Labour's mess. We will recycle plastics, deal faster with graffiti and fly-tipping incidents and get rid of companies who have performed poorly."