Milking the tax payer
25.06.2008
Leaked documents received by Green Party Jarrow parliamentary candidate Bryan Atkinson reveal that South Tyneside council has put the interests of the dairy industry before those of the council tax payer and the environment. A briefing document for the council Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue on Wednesday 25th June also reveals that other council budgets will be raided to pick up the cost of the milk increase.
South Tyneside Council's own Waste Strategy says that it follows the Waste Hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Reuse is more efficient, less carbon intensive and conserves more resources than recycling. However, the disposable cartons currently being used are not even being recycled.
The leaked documents, letters from the milk supplier Dairy Farmers of Britain to South Tyneside Council, admit that the price of disposable cartons will cost the council more than reusable milk bottles.
The council's cabinet briefing paper recommends that parents face an increase in the price of school milk, and that £30,000 also be taken from the Children and Young People’s Directorate budget.
Bryan Atkinson said,
"A zero-carbon Britain is essential for our future well-being and prosperity. Harnessing renewable energy is the only way towards that future, and if government and industry get behind the technology, wind can generate a significant amount of our electricity.
Bryan Atkinson said,
"It's time for South Tyneside Council and the dairy industry to face up to their environmental responsibilities. When it comes to showing leadership on environmental issues, the council fails time and time again.
"Moving from reusable milk bottles to plastic cartons is a step backwards. The council is allowing the dairy industry to charge us more for a poorer service.
"This is bad for the environment and bad for the council tax payer."
notes
1. Leaked Dairy Farmers of Britain letters below (jpeg images):
letter dated 4th September 2007
letter dated 12th October 2007
letter dated 30th January 2008
2. South Tyneside Council cabinet meeting documents:
South Tyneside Council committee meeting documents
3. One of the Dairy Farmers of Britain letters also contain a promise to start collecting and recycling the cartons from January 2008, but as yet cartons have not been recycled. However, according to council briefing papers no definite start date for recycling the cartons has been provided.