Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Flintshire community leaders slam 'unrealistic' targets

A MAJOR waste reduction strategy has been heavily criticised by senior community leaders in Flintshire.

Flintshire Council’s executive members say some of the targets in the Welsh Assembly Government’s ‘Wise About Waste’ plans are ‘unrealistic’ and could put too much pressure on local authorities.

The strategy includes specific recycling and waste reduction targets, which the council must meet within a certain time limit if it is to avoid being hit by heavy landfill taxes.

Cllr Nancy Matthews, executive member for waste management, said the food waste recycling target in particular was too high for Flintshire to meet.

She added: “It is completely unrealistic and could have a detrimental effect on the whole process of reducing waste.

“The report does not even take into account or mention the residents of Flintshire and how they are expected to help take the strategy forward.”

The Welsh Assembly Government is currently gathering feedback and comments about the strategy from local authorities, but Carl Longland, the council’s director of environment, said Flintshire’s views did not appear to have been acknowledged.

Flintshire Council’s chief executive, Colin Everett, said lots of people had ‘very strong views’ on the subject and that the council would submit its formal response to the assembly in the near future.

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