Plymouth Tories fail to deliver on election promises

7.21.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 26th Aug 2009

The Tories promised more recycling banks... but now there are fewer

Conservative councillors are failing to honour 'green' manifesto pledges on which they fought the last set of city council elections, held in May last year.

In those elections, local Tories promised "to increase the number of recycling banks" and "increase the range of items for recycling and doorstep collection". Yet, more than one year on, the number of recycling banks has been cut, and there has been no increase in the range of items that can be recycled.

Asked, under the freedom of information act, about the number of recycling banks there were in Plymouth, the council revealed that there are currently 60 banks for bottles and jars, down one on last year, 24 banks for paper, unchanged, 31 banks for cans and plastic, down five, with 20 for textiles, up three. That adds up to a net loss of three recycling banks.

The council also confirmed that plans to add glass to the household collection is two or three years away, with no other additions on the horizon.

Commenting, Rebecca Trimnell, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the Ham council by-election, to be held on 3rd September, said, "Councillors should honour their election pledges, not leave them on the shelf gathering dust. Local Tories promised to expand recycling, but it's fallen back.

"It's yet more evidence that the Conservatives have learnt to talk the talk on the environment, but they can't or won't walk the walk. Of the main parties, only the Liberal Democrats take green issues seriously.

"If elected as the next councillor for Ham, I will fight the sell-off of CityBus, and push for more bus routes and more frequent services. I will campaign to keep the playing field on the old Civil Service Club site. And I will work with local police to combat anti-social behaviour. I will also keep touch with local people, all year round.

"Those are my election promises, and I will honour them."