appy hristas to al our

Happy Christmas and all the best from your Councillors for 2009.

friends and thery best

GORDON'S BIN TAXES

Despite the fact that Downing Street have repeatedly stated that as "bin taxes" are so unpopular they will not pursue them, they are still pressing ahead with their plans to introduce new charges for collection of household rubbish.  Initially they are "leaning on" (sorry, inviting) Councils Chief Executives to take part in pilot schemes across the U.K.

So what does this mean for you and me?

Higher taxes on families: All families across the country are suffering from a soaring cost of living. Bin taxes will punish families for having children. Even the Government’s own optimistic Impact Assessment admits that families will pay £72.31 a year more. The Treasury has openly admitted the new ‘waste incentives’ are officially a tax. Adur families, many of whom are already finding things difficult financially, will be no exception!

Increasing the tax burden: Labour Ministers claim that such schemes could be revenue neutral. In other words, they will not cost you, the taxpayer, any more than at present! They made the same empty promises about the council tax revaluation in Wales . Representations from councils across the country have warned that the Government’s sums do not add up due to the set-up, administration, collection and enforcement costs of a brand new tax, as well as the need for new lockable bins. As the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management have warned: More sound bite politics, when the reality is that such a scheme would cost everyone more!

“Costs will be incurred to councils for administration and enforcement. This means that in terms of value added such initiatives would therefore do nothing to assist councils manage their waste budget in the face of rising costs. If the costs for administration are expected to increase substantially in order for householders to be monitored and billed accordingly, but with overall council tax remain bill remaining the same, then either householders who are recycling will pay a proportionately larger slice (this may be significant sums per annum, as has occurred in Ireland, where costs of 300-400 Euros are not uncommon for waste collection), or other council services might have to be reduced in order for revenue to be redirected to cover waste administration.”

Harmful to the environment: Bin taxes will lead to a surge in fly-tipping and backyard burning. Fly-tipping has already soared in the last three years due to higher landfill taxes. Bin taxes will give perverse incentives to households to dump their rubbish, stuff it in bins other than their own, or contaminate recycling collections. In the Republic of Ireland , bin taxes have led to 4 in 10 households now burning their rubbish, and such burning of now causes 73% of all dioxin emissions. Under the Government’s proposals, civil amenity sites will have to remain free for household waste. Many residents will therefore drive to the local dump to avoid bin taxes – increasing carbon emissions and congestion. This means an environment where rubbish will be dumped, sometimes on other people's property adding costs for removal to council tax and traffic will increase. So much for this government's green credentials!

In short, bin taxes will harm the local environment and increase the cost of living. This is just another cynical Labour attempt to tax families more by stealth, but with a thick coat of greenwash. The Government should be working instead with councils to extend recycling collections, and make it easier for all households to go green. There is certainly a role for incentives, but not for taxes or charges.

Adur District Councillors have already refused to put electronic chips in our bins. As your local Councillors, we will continue to fight on your behalf against this unfair tax being proposed and imposed, despite public resistance, by this radical and unwelcome government!

A Big Thank You!  &  Why not join us?

Councillors Norman Wright and David Simmons wish to say a big thank you to all those who turned out in numbers to vote in the recent Adur Council Elections. We value your support and assure you that we will do our best to represent your interests in the future.

With the County Council and General Elections coming over the horizon, Councillors Norman Wright and David Simmons are seeking to get people together to form a committee in the Cokeham Ward area. Interested? Why not give us a ring to discuss how you can help?  For further information ring Norman or David on either 01903 - 609282 or 01273 464018 respectively.

Experienced Councillor elected for Cokeham Ward

Elected for the first time in Adur, representing Cokeham Ward, is Councillor Norman Wright.

Norman, fairly new to the Lancing district where he lives with his wife, is however no stranger to local politics having been a Councillor in several other areas, most recently as a Councillor for Rottingdean in Brighton. His experience is a welcome addition to Adur District Council in assisting with the testing times ahead for all councils nationally, facing continual cuts from central government, as well as having to meet national targets which bear no relation to the abilities of local people to finance them. A man of many talents, Norman, a family man who has been editor of a newspaper, is also an organist who has used his musical talents to support many churches across Sussex and beyond.

We value your support and confidence in our ability to continue to serve your needs and represent your views at council in this and future years.

Councillor David Simmons and Councillor Norman Wright - Cokeham Ward

Councillor Carson Albury re-elected in Peveril Ward

After serving on Adur District Council on behalf of Peveril ward for the last four years, Councillor Carson Albury is once again a Councillor following his election with an increased majority on 1st May 2008.

Carson, a regular attendee and member of many of the committees at Adur District Council has worked hard for Peveril Ward during his term as a local Councillor.  Being re-elected, he once again brings not only a breadth of experience to the role, but also his considerable experience at County level as a County Councillor. Of course, while representing the views of constituents is a priority, being a Councillor is also about contributing to local planning and many other decisions which affect the quality of life for all the people of Adur. As a dedicated and hard working local Councillor, Carson has achieved much in the last four years, and I know he will continue to work to give dedicated and quality service to the people of Peveril ward in particular, and Adur in general, during his next term as Councillor.

Councillor Brian Boggis - Peveril Ward

Adur Dial-a-Ride service

A great deal has been said in the press recently about Adur District Council not funding Dial-a-Ride.  People have rightly been upset by the thought that they will no longer have a service available.  It must be said that it has never been the intention of your Council to stop a service to members of our community who rely on it, but purely to ensure that it provides value for money in an environment where use of all public funds have to be carefully managed to keep within the budget.

Following the Community and Leisure Committee meeting of last week, finance officers of the Council have offered their support to ACT to assist in managing their funds after which, a service specification will be drawn up which will go out to tender. In the meantime, Adur District Council will continue to fund ACT at a level of £2,000 a month to ensure continuity of the service.

The new refuse disposal vehicles have arrived together with the launch of the new Wheelie Bins and are now in place in Worthing, with the second phase to be rolled out in Shoreham during 2008.

Finally, and after much hard work, "Wagons Roll!"