Councillors at odds over bins fiasco

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Blaming a cabinet member for operational issues that led to problems with new waste and recycling collection routes has been criticised by a senior councillor.

At the end of May, Cllr Graham Breeze (Powys Independent – Welshpool Llanerchyddol) tabled a number of questions to Cllr Richard Church (Liberal Democrat – Welshpool Castle) on the problems with the new waste and recycling collection routes.

Cllr Church had the waste and recycling brief added to his list of responsibilities as cabinet member for legal and regulatory services last month following in a cabinet reshuffle by council leader Cllr Jake Berriman (Liberal Democrat – Llandrindod North).

This decision took under pressure Cllr Charlton (Liberal Democrat – Llangattock and Llangynidr) out of the firing line.

The call to remove Cllr Charlton had been made due to problems in the new waste and recycling collection routes which came into force in March.

This has seen black bin and recycling boxes left in streets all around Powys due to collection failures which have continued up to the last bank holiday.

Cllr Breeze asked 10 questions and several of which focussed on the political accountability for the service.

Cllr Church said: “I accept political responsibility for the overall performance of the waste and recycling service.

“However, I do not manage the day-to-day operation, that is the responsibility of the chief officer place and senior officers of the council.”

Cllr Church added that he meets waste and recycling chiefs “at least weekly” and that any issues he raises are dealt with “promptly and effectively”.

On the “balance” between political leadership and operational delivery, Cllr Church said: “The criticism of the previous portfolio holder demonstrates a lack of understanding of that.

“The political leadership, not just the cabinet but the whole council, sets the budget.

“The cabinet determines the policies of the council, and cabinet and scrutiny committees hold the executive to account for the delivery of the service.

“It is essential that there is an understanding of the separate roles of political leadership as exercised by councillors from operational responsibilities of the council’s staff lead by the chief executive, directors and heads of service.”

He explained that “systemic failures” need to be solved by cabinet or portfolio holders reviewing and amending the policy

Cllr Church stressed: “The council’s reputation is also not served by the blaming of one councillor for operational service issues, such as staff shortages, sickness and vehicle breakdowns that are beyond the ability of any single councillor to resolve.”

Cllr Breeze said: “I welcome the response from Cllr Church, and it is positive news that he accepts that as the portfolio holder he has a responsibility to oversee a return to acceptable waste and recycling service levels, though there is still a long way to go.

“It is disappointing though that Cllr Church accuses councillors of targeting his predecessor over what he describes as operational issues.

“Clearly the criticism of Cllr Charlton was over her refusal to accept accountability, even though she had signed off the new route implementation programme before it was presented to cabinet and full council.”