MARK Jenkinson MP has launched his own waste collection survey on the grounds that the Cumberland Council consultation is a “sham”.
The Workington MP previously highlighted fundamental flaws in the format of the questions, but the local authority refused to make any changes or correct the anomalies identified.* [please see note below for substance of earlier complaint].
Mark is concerned that the outcome of the 'consultation' was predetermined – and that the council ultimately plans to introduce fortnightly rubbish collections, as well as charge for taking away garden waste.
He said: “The consultation launched by Cumberland was a sham. I suspect that this is the thin end of the wedge – and the local authority plans to level down public services despite record levels of Government funding.
"There is a real risk that Allerdale will lose weekly black bin collections, services which were protected the former Conservative-led Allerdale Borough Council.
Not only that, but previous proposals to charge for garden waste bins are likely to rear their head again. I've fought these proposals before, and I'll fight them for you again.
“Cumberland has already hiked up council tax and voted themselves a pay rise despite a woeful record on potholes, and months of disrupted bin services. My hardworking constituents should not be paying more for less.
“I have therefore launched my own survey exercise to help create a fairer picture of what people really think. My questions are far clearer than those asked by the council.
“Bin collections is something that affects everyone. It is important that consultation exercises are accessible and easy to understand, but the Waste Collection Public Engagement Survey was anything but.
“I would urge Cumberland residents to complete my survey so the council can be in no doubt about what you really think: https://www.mark-jenkinson.co.uk/bin-collections.”
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*In his letter to Cumberland Council's chief executive (dated 1st of March), Mark wrote: "I would draw your attention particularly to Question 6, which is poorly written and muddled.
The statements are written in a way that would seem intended to elicit an agreement/disagreement response yet the question itself invites the participant to rank by priority. For example, if I don’t want to remove my weekly bin collection as Cumberland plans to, how would the council propose that I prioritise the statement “If my general rubbish was collected less frequently I would recycle more” – 1-6?
I would strongly urge the council to fix this and re-run the survey, making clear that people should now resubmit, segregating any submissions up to the change. It is vitally important, in the interests of transparency and democracy that questions are clear and unambiguous. I look forward to your assurances in this regard. And I hope the council will take the opportunity to correct this anomaly."
