Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

A genuine reason, or a plan to help would-be Conservative MPs?

Wiltshire Council has issued a press release stating

'A planned public consultation into possible changes to Wiltshire's waste and recycling service will not take place ahead of the General Election. The consultation was due to start shortly but it became clear that differing national policies emerging from Whitehall have caused confusion and uncertainty regrading future waste and recycling services. It would, therefore, not be appropriate to hold a consultation until the council has a clear steer on the national policy following the General Election.

The consultation was due to put forward a number of options for the refuse collection and recycling services which currently differ from area to area across the county.

Council leader Jane Scott said: "I would like to apologise to local people in Wiltshire for having to withdraw this consultation which we had committed to do. We did not want to waste local people's time or money in seeking their views when we might be unable to implement their preferred option. In the meantime, our waste and recycling services will continue to operate as currently provided." -Ends-'

Whilst the reasoning behind this change of mind might be considered sensible, there is the alternative view that the Conservatives at County Hall don't want to dis-advantage the Conservative candidates in the General Election by alienating large swathes of the population by a) charging us for emptying our green bins and b) telling us that we won't be getting kerbside collections of plastic and cardboard.

Being a cynic, I know which of the two options my money is on!!