Tories in panic as rubbish review cancelled.

5.13.00pm GMT Tue 16th Feb 2010

The news that controversial waste collection changes in Wiltshire have been deferred has been dismissed by the Liberal Democrats as cynical electioneering. Proposals to reduce the standard of collections across the county put forward by the Conservative council included the loss of weekly collections in North Wiltshire and Salisbury districts and the introduction of charging for green waste collection in West Wiltshire.

The council had been consulting on a limited number of options, but the whole process has now been stopped.

"Clearly the Conservatives were worried that this policy could cost them seats at the general election," said Lib Dem group leader Trevor Carbin. "The suggestion that a new government might move the goalposts by introducing fundamental changes at a national level is a bogus reason for stopping the process now"

Lib Dem spokesperson for waste and recycling Rosemary Brown said, "The Conservatives have let the public down by hiding behind the general election and keeping the residents of Wiltshire waiting for news of how their waste collection services will be 'harmonised'."

Here's the WC press release:

Waste consultation

A planned public consultation into possible changes to Wiltshire's waste and recycling service will not take place ahead of the General Election.

The consultation was due to start shortly but it became clear that differing national policies emerging from Whitehall have caused confusion and uncertainty regrading future waste and recycling services. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to hold a consultation until the council has a clear steer on the national policy following the General Election.

The consultation was due to put forward a number of options for the refuse collection and recycling services which currently differ from area to area across the county.

Council leader Jane Scott said: "I would like to apologise to local people in Wiltshire for having to withdraw this consultation which we had committed to do. We did not want to waste local people's time or money in seeking their views when we might be unable to implement their preferred option. In the meantime, our waste and recycling services will continue to operate as currently provided."