Waste and Recycling Strategy - where is the vision? Picture shows a fully electric waste collection freighter. Despite the Colchester Council's Climate Emergency Resolution, it will not commit fully to Electric Waste Collection Freighters.  Shame.

Colchester Council has proclaimed a waste recycling target of 70%. However, the Council has not yet answered a number of key questions about how it plans to achieve this target.  The Council under Liberal Democrats , with or without their Labour Party friends, is floundering with no strategic objectives to get beyond the mid-50% recycling rate.

Cllr Sue Lissimore, (Prettygate Ward) and Conservative spokesperson on Waste, Neighbourhood Services & Environment explained: "Recycling has hardly improved since food waste and garden waste kerbside collections were introduced many years ago, raising the recycling rate for 30% to 50%.  I'm unclear how the current Administration will help improve waste and recycling rates"

Cllr Tom Rowe (Rural North Ward) and Conservative spokesman on Strategic Objectives added "It is high time that the Council had a waste and recycling review. This would be an opportunity to address the lack of direction and develop a clear and achievable plan to reach its 70% recycling target. What are the best practices of other councils who have achieved much high recycling rates?, Should we implement co-mingling?. and how can we partner with the private sector?.

We have local experts, Colchester Skip Hire (CSH) who recycle at rates of 99%. I've spoken to CSH and they could help Colchester Council improve their rates and reduce costs to the taxpayers if the Council was willing to collaborate. I urge the council to get round the table and reduce the cost of waste and recycling while improving outcomes for taxpayers."

For too long Colchester has lacked a clear vision on how to achieve its public service ambitions. It is an organisation with limited resources that is likely to get more squeezed in the coming years.  It needs to focus and start to deliver for residents. Colchester Council can do better.