Letter: I Share the Frustration Over Waste Collection Calendars

Published on: 29 Nov, 2024
Updated on: 29 Nov, 2024

From George Potter

Lib Dem lead member for Climate Change & Environment at GBC

In response to: Is the Cost of a Waste Collection Leaflet Really Too Much?

I completely share Roshan Bailey’s frustration that the annual bin collection calendars are not being delivered this year. However, it is incorrect to attribute this to a decision by Guildford Borough Council.

The calendars were funded, produced and distributed by the Surrey Environment Partnership (SEP) which exists to manage the responsibility of Surrey County Council (SCC), as the waste disposal authority, in concert with the waste collection authorities (the boroughs and districts).

However, this year the SEP was asked to cut £100,000 from its budget by Surrey County Council in order to reduce the size of financial contributions Surrey needed to make to the SEP, a result of the well-documented financial pressures SCC is facing.

One of the SEP services stopped as a result of this budget cut was the production and distribution of the waste calendars, which have now been cancelled across the county.

As the portfolio holder responsible for refuse at GBC, I did make the argument at the time that I felt that a gradual phasing out of the calendars would be better than stopping them without warning, but my point of view did not carry the day. We have also recently been told SCC wish to cut a further £200,000 from the SEP budget, meaning it is unlikely that the calendars will be coming back anytime soon.

Whilst we have explored alternative options for the calendars GBC, unfortunately, does not have the staff or budget to take on this SEP responsibility.

A printable PDF of a collection calendar will be made available on the GBC website for download shortly (we are currently waiting for SEP to approve the final version), and limited numbers of physical copies will be made available for collection from the GBC offices at Millmead and from The Hive in Park Barn in the new year. And residents can always look up their bin collection dates online here: www.guildford.gov.uk/Christmasbincollectiontimes.

Responses to Letter: I Share the Frustration Over Waste Collection Calendars

David Roberts Reply

November 29, 2024 at 5:15 pm

The weblink provided only lists bin collection dates for my postcode up to yesterday. Not much use, GBC!
Roshan Bailey Reply

November 30, 2024 at 8:33 pm

I’ve just checked the link and it does list all the Christmas / New Year changes – but you need to remember your normal day of the week and keep track of whether you last had recycling or refuse taken away. Maybe best to keep a written reminder if you are in danger of forgetting over the festive season, especially as the levels in your bins might be abnormal and so not a helpful guide. Good luck!
- George Potter Reply
  
  December 2, 2024 at 11:38 am
  
  There’s also a link on the page which takes you to the year-round bin collection date checker. But as Ms Bailey says, it alternates between recycling one week and general waste the next, so once you know what day of the week your collection is, and which week is which, then it’s fairly easy to remember for the rest of the year.
  
  George Potter is a Lib Dem borough councillor for Burpham
Philip Johanson Reply

December 1, 2024 at 1:16 pm

Strange that GBC can find funding for pamphlets and circulars that boast how great they are but can’t find the money to provide something that residents actually want.
- George Potter Reply
  
  December 2, 2024 at 11:37 am
  
  What pamphlets and circulars are these exactly? The only pieces of paper GBC puts out is a leaflet to accompany the council tax bill, and a separate magazine for council house tenants containing updates on tenant services.
  
  George Potter is a Lib Dem borough councillor for Burpham