North Somerset leader Nigel Ashton has said there will be a review into a decision to remove dozens on bins from areas across the district, after it was made without any public consultation.
It comes after members of Clevedon Town Council shared their anger after finding out bins were being removed from the town.
It is believed a total of 30 rubbish and dog poo bins have been either removed already or earmarked for removal.
During a town council meeting on Wednesday, May 2, members were told officers had made the decision without getting approval from the political executive at North Somerset Council.
Speaking during the meeting Cllr Chris Blades, who sits on both Clevedon Town Council and North Somerset, said officers made the decision after being told they needed to cut an extra £150,000 from their budget.
“There was pressure on the officers to find these savings but it seems to me that the decision was taken rather quickly. We are not just getting rid of 30 bins, it’s not on.
“There was no consultation and there should have been and I’m still confused about how this happened and am pushing for an investigation.”
North Somerset leader Nigel Ashton has now said there will be a review into the decision, which he said “doesn’t make sense”.
He has also said no more bins will be removed until the review has been carried out and following the results some bins may be reinstated.
Cllr Ashton explained officers are well within their legal right to make decisions without the executive signing them off – as long as they are not considered to be “major decisions” of more than £500,000.
But he said the impact of the decision should have been recognised and consulted on.
“It’s just plain common sense,” he added.
“You just don’t do that sort of thing without consulting with the local community and parish council or executive members.
“The way this has been executed is not up to the standards expected at the council.”
A statement from Mandy Bishop, the assistant director of operations at North Somerset, said bins were removed in areas where they were “much less used, incorrectly positioned and in locations where they were being abused by people fly-tipping household waste”.
She added removal of bins “hasn’t resulted in an increase in litter as people are often responsible and take litter home with them”.
But she has acknowledged earlier discussions with the town council “would have been helpful”.
The decision has affected around 60 bins across Clevedon, Nailsea and Backwell – with some town councillors asking “why Clevedon has been targeted”.
Town councillor Elizabeth Fone called the decision “unfair” and said it lacked proportionality.
Speaking during Wednesday’s meeting she said: “I feel like this smacks of punishment. This is a town that pays its rates.
“Council tax has gone up and the onus has been put on residents to pay more while getting fewer services. I would like a straight answer about how this has been allowed to happen especially without executive approval.”
Cllr Ashton has said the next step is to review the decision and reopen the lines of communication with the town council to make a better and more informed decision.
Article originally appeared on Bristol Post
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