MP calls for County Council U-turn on charity recycling credits

Tim Farron MP is today calling on the County Council cabinet not to remove recycling credits from charities and community groups.

In the County Council consultation document for the 2011/12 budget the County Council has proposed to remove recycling credits from Third Sector organisations all over the South Lakes. Many charities and voluntary groups run recycling schemes in villages for which they are given a small reimbursement for their time and effort.

The Conservative-led County Council last week proposed massive budget cuts which will slash services used by people up and down the South Lakes.

In the consultation document the County Council state 'This is a discretionary activity and as such, are proposing to cut the waste prevention budget by 50% in 2011/12'

Tim said, "I am today calling on Eddie Martin and his Conservative-led cabinet to make a u turn and reinstate the recycling credits for charities in the South Lakes. I think this idea is beyond the pale - how can we meet our climate change commitments and support the fantastic work done by local charities if these cuts are made? To solve the financial crisis the County Council faces the current thinking seems to be pinching money here and there and closing their eyes to the real waste that could be cut. I think the sooner the council withdraw this idea the better."