Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

The new authority must take a lead on recycling.
West Wiltshire District Council (WWDC) has achieved high levels of recycling but believes that there is still much to do. However, it seems that, when it comes into being, the new Wiltshire Council may be content with the level of service already achieved by WWDC.

The proposal for the creation of fuel pellets from non-recyclable waste for combustion at the Lafarge Cement Works seems to have stalled and the issue about kerbside collection of plastics and cardboard has not been addressed.

We, the public, expect the new council to provide a high quality kerbside service of plastic and cardboard collection - and an assurance that the material collected will be recycled; not landfilled as is rumoured to sometimes happen now.

Waste disposal should be taken to a new level by the new council with higher levels of recycling and a much more convenient service. Wiltshire County Council (WCC) seems to be complacent about recycling across Wiltshire and afraid to grasp the nettle for further enhancements to the waste service.

These issues need to be driven forward and assurances provided to the public that these matters will be addressed vigorously and urgently.

Waiting until the new council is up and running will be too late - NOW is the time for action. Whether WCC will actually do something, rather than simply talk about it, is a moot point but I will ensure that this matter isn't allowed to disappear under a pile of (recyclable) notes and memos!