C J Burton

Have you ever considered why we recycle, what are we attempting to acheive?  Are we trying to save the planet, slow down the flow of unwanted packaging and artefacts to land-fill, or a combination of all of these?

 I thought it would be useful to stimulate the debate in Christchurch as we are contemplating how to proceed with the next phase of recycling in the borough and throughout the county.

Government targets are weight based so high density items such as glass or paper take precedence over plastic.  taking paper, cardboard and green waste, which are all biodegradeable to be recycled is very laudible, but what about the residuals that go to landfill; if, and it is a big if all the above was recycled, then the landfills would comprise plastic.  Is that right?  Turn the argument around, put biodegradeables to landfill and recycle the plastics would that be better for the future?

We currently send lorries around the borough, collecting about 20% of the permitted recyclables (a requirement by Dorset County Council and the contract they have with SITA).  The vehicles in my opinion (untested scientifically) produce more pollution than the environmental savings derived from the recycling process.  So what are the gains?

Would it be better to collect efficiently and then separate the rubbish into constituent components, thus minimising the pollution effect of the process?

Do you think that all our collected garden waste should be sent for recycling?  It currently goes to landfill!

I could go on, but am seeking an indication of feeling before developing the various options available.   But before I finish, a final point - Do you feel it is a good thing for trade waste to be collected with domestic waste and disposed of in the same process?  The council has not mandate for doing this, but taking a holistic view, there is only one land and one set of roads!

 Colin P Jamieson

Saratoga

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</script>There is a lot of criticism levelled at councillors of all political groups; I felt it would help if I explained what a typical week in local politics consists of without the political element.

Monday, an informal meeting of councillors to discuss wider issues, the ramifications of those issues and what position we should adopt.  That took about 2 hours and then some more discussions in the pub.  Tuesday was the council meeting where we discussed and agreed the budget.  Although there was a degree of politicking in the chamber, after about 2 1/2 hours, down the pub again to talk about what happened.  I am looking forward to the time that the new smoking ban is imposed as I find smoke in pubs and restaurants extremely irritating, and I say that as an ex smoker (I have always found smoke in restaurants to be anti social!).

I was recently approached by a group of residents about anti social behaviour in the village.  This is not new, has been going on for many years, that does not mean it should be ignored.  As a result, have arranged a meeting with council officers and the police to try and find a positive solution.  This is not just a whinge session, we are working towards some positive solutions.  Having set up the date and venue for the meeting, dropped a note round to residents.  I normally do that either first thing in the morning (about 7.00 a.m.) before the day job kicks in, or after work before it becomes too dark.

Wednesday, had a meeting with Council Officers to identify what issues we need to address when a number of staff retire.  We need to ensure there are no loose ends when the new people come into post.

 Thursday evening - planning meeting.  There are a huge number of plans submitted to the council, and they have to be determined within 8 weeks.  As a consequence, officers determine a lot of those under delegated powers to a predetermined set of rules.  The difficult ones with finely balanced judgements come to the committee.  The meeting is open to members of the public and speakers for and against put their views to the committee who discuss the issues before coming to a vote on each item.  Thursday’s meeting lasted for just over 3 hours, and on this occasion, it was straight home, no visit to the pub.

There have been other discussions about local issues in Burton, but as they are of a sensitive and private nature, clearly cannot be discussed.  All in all, a typical and busy week that was very worthwhile.  We have achieved a lot on behalf of the community we serve.