31 January 2000

Does this sound a familiar topic

'.. I understand that landfills nationwide are responsible for a third of all groundwater pollution. They produce methane in large quantities, which is a bad greenhouse gas ..'

'.. The joint draft plan to which the hon. Gentleman referred included a range of unacceptable proposals, one of which was landraise in my constituency. That is the worst possible option in the waste hierarchy. It involves landraise in the lower Weald at Veals Farm, next to a development of mobile homes at Deanland, where many people have gone to retire—that is the proposal that the hon. Gentleman is presumably supporting in his intervention—and landraise between Firle and Selmeston in my constituency. Will the Minister tonight rule out landraise as an option for any authority? ..'

'.. ‘Waste should generally be managed as near as possible to its place of production, because transporting waste itself has an environmental impact.’ I hope that the Minister will confirm that tonight. If he does, he should acknowledge that the substantial amount of waste from Brighton and Hove should be disposed of there, and not shunted miles into East Sussex. Brighton and Hove—a great place that wants to be a city—should take responsibility for all aspects of its management. It should not simply dump its rubbish over the border in East Sussex ..'

Reference: Norman Baker Waste Disposal (East Sussex) - January 2000

Could Cheryl Miller and her cohorts please explain why we are 10 years further forward and ESCC remains stuck in the dark ages with their waste disposal proposals?

Why have ESCC provided absolutely no new ideas since that time despite being aware of the situation and the changing enviroment over the period. Just remember we the ratepayers are paying these people (and very handsomely in the case of Cheryl Miller) to do nothing!

In the quest for 'best value' perhaps all those who have been paid to provide a solution over the past 10 years should refund the tax payer because they have obviously woefully failed to do their job - in any other area sackings would be in order; starting at the top!

Quite frankly ESCC inability to formulate a coherent sustainable waste policy 10 years down the line is tantamount to NEGLIGENCE