RAJAN WELCOMES BACKING ON WEEKLY COLLECTIONS

3.52.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Jul 2007

Cllr Lisa Rajan, Southwark Council's Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Environment, has welcomed a report from a committee of MPs which backs weekly rubbish collection. The report backs Southwark's decision to stick with weekly collections.

"I am delighted that MPs have backed weekly rubbish collections," said Cllr Lisa Rajan. "Weekly collections are what local residents want and we will continue to provide them until they say otherwise."

"MPs on the Commons Local Government Committee have found that fortnightly collections were not appropriate for inner cities and more research was needed into health risks of leaving rubbish in the street. They also said that there was no evidence that fortnightly collections helped to increase recycling rates."

"We have put the target of increasing recycling at the top of our agenda. We have already seen an increase from 3% to 18%. But we do not believe that halving waste collection is the right way to see further improvement."

"Instead, we have improved our collection rate and service, especially on estates, and we have introduced a hugely successful 'tag it to bag it' reward programme for those who recycle - offering local residents the chance to win £1000 just for recycling."

"The Government seems intent on trying to force councils to ditch weekly rubbish collections and they say they are disappointed with this report. However, I see this as justification for Southwark's policy of listening to residents and acting on their concerns."