TORIES BOOT BIG-BURNER INTO TOUCH!!

Tory Councillors have forced a controversial Bristol Cabinet decision backing a mass-burn incinerator to be referred to Full Council for debate.

Their move follows a heated row at this evening's Call-in Panel of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee, chaired by Conservative Councillor Ashley Fox.

The Sub-Committee was tasked with deciding whether or not to accept a Labour Cabinet plan to press ahead with the sub-regional waste strategy, which has been dogged with criticism over the favoured option to build an incineration plant at Avonmouth.

Local Conservative Councillor Spud Murphy urged councillors not to turn his Avonmouth seat into "a dumping ground" and demanded that the Panel refer the whole matter to the next meeting of the hung Council, on 9th September, for a decision.

The politically-balanced Call-In Committee voted to refer the matter to the Full Council meeting, with the two Lib Dem members backing the Conservative position.

Cllr Fox (Con, Westbury on Trym) said: "Councillor Bradshaw and his Cabinet colleagues have failed to consult adequately on their waste strategy.

"We were assured that this policy would come to Full Council to be debated - it did not.

"They have ignored the views of local councillors and they cannot therefore be surprised to be told to go back and think again."

Conservative Group Leader Cllr Richard Eddy added: "This Labour Administration has consistently promised to be open and transparent in its decision-making. However, Labour have shamefully reneged upon these solemn promises on the Waste Strategy.

"Given the continuing controversy and concerns about the waste treatment options, it is essential that their policy is subjected to vigorous scrutiny.

"I am delighted that this key debate will now take place openly, at Full Council, before the Labour Cabinet commits us to a final decision which we could all live to regret."

Back to Local News Index 31 July 2008