Southwark Labour Reject Attempts to Increase Bins, Recycling, Cleaning Staff

Southwark Labour refused Liberal Democrat calls for more bins, recycling and cleaning staff in the borough at a council assembly on Wednesday night.

The Liberal Democrats tabled a motion that proposed raising the borough’s recycling rate from 35% to at least 60% by 2030 and to reintroduce free bulky waste disposal.

It also sought to multiply the amount of bins in the borough and to expand waste management teams dealing with litter or street cleaning.

Nonetheless, the Labour party decided to vote for an amended version instead. This amended version ripped out the aforementioned Liberal Democrat policies.

Cllr Maria Linforth-Hall, who proposed the motion, said:

“I frequently organise and attend community litter-picking events across the borough. I can tell you that we are currently seeing abnormally high quantities of rubbish on our streets. Much of this waste has been dumped illegally. It is very important that the council recognises these issues and begins to properly deal with it.”

Cllr Hamish McCallum, leader of the Southwark Liberal Democrats, said:

“Southwark Labour are not interested in listening to residents, admitting their failures and delivering basic services. The party’s arrogance is leading to dirtier streets and it is refusing to adopt policies that will clean our pavements. Under the Liberal Democrats, Southwark had the third cleanest streets in London and our proposals at the assembly showed how easily we could do that again.”