When is a decision not a decision? Liberal Democrats kick public litter bins into the long grass
Following a petition of 2,000 signatures and a belated consultation where only 4% of residents supported the Lib Dem proposal, attempts by Conservatives to support residents and prevent the scrapping of public litter bins have been thwarted by Liberal Democrats.
Scenes at the council chamber were reminiscent of vintage Yes minister as Lib Dems tried to argue that a decision to scrap litter bins made by their exec member in the summer and announced with a fanfare was not actually a DECISION just a decision.
The Leader of Wokingham Borough Conservatives, Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, presented a motion calling on the Council to listen to 2,000 residents’ who signed a petition to stop the cuts to public litter bins at a Council meeting on Thursday (19.10.23).
Instead, Liberal Democrats have kicked the decision to a meeting of the Council’s ruling Executive – where councillors from other parties do not get to speak or vote.
This comes following an announcement in July that the Council intended to reduce the number of public litter bins and empty others less frequently along with other cuts to Council services such as grass cutting.
At the meeting yesterday on 19 October, Liberal Democrats claimed that no decision had ever been taken.
However, in July the Council issued a press release announcing the new policy including a quote from the Executive Member, Cllr Ian Shenton.
As a result, some bins were covered over and marked for removal while others were emptied less causing rubbish to overflow and the smell of dog mess to pervade the air.
Conservative Councillors then challenged the decision-making process and succeeded in temporarily stopping Wokingham Borough Council’s removal of public bins.
Council officers admitted that the administration had for at least the third time since they came to power, not followed proper procedures when ordering the removal of bins, preventing scrutiny of their actions by councillors and input from residents.
Wokingham Borough’s Opposition Conservative Group criticised the Liberal Democrats’ “policy by Twitter” approach which reduces transparency and stops debates and votes on Council decisions.
Cllr Pauline Jorgensen, Leader of the Conservative Group, said, “It is farcical and disingenuous for Liberal Democrat councillors to now claim that no decision was taken.
"Clearly someone decided to cover the bins, someone decided to Tweet about it, and somebody agreed to a press release with a quote from Cllr Ian Shenton.
“At every opportunity, the Lib Dems make the wrong choices. Their whole policy has been mismanaged, they are making a farce of the decision making process. Now they are trying to pretend there wasn’t a decision when clearly the responsibility lies with them.
“Lib Dems fail to consult with residents demonstrating a total disregard for the people who voted for them.
“At the meeting the Liberal Democrats had the chance to put an end to this this crazy idea once and for all. They chose not to.”
