Milton Keynes - Making Plans for the Future of Waste

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th Jun 2006

In response to the recent public consultation, the Liberal Democrats are putting forward plans for the future of waste disposal in Milton Keynes.

Several locations have been identified as possible sites for any future recycling plant and these will be put to the residents of MK.

3,500 MK residents responded to the consultation about waste collection and disposal. The majority want waste facilities build on industrial sites, away from homes, estates and shopping areas.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Chris Williams, cabinet member for planning and transport, is enthusiastic about the project: "We are making the possible sites public and encouraging everyone who lives in Milton Keynes to get involved in the debate about waste and its disposal. Over the next few months, the Liberal Democrats will lead this important debate and ensure that residents, environmental groups and the business community have their say on this vital and far-reaching subject."

Councillor Douglas McCall, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for the environment, said: "I am really pleased with the support that residents give to recycling. In May we hit an all-time high recycling rate of 38.5%, but we need to do even more if Milton Keynes Council is to avoid millions of pounds in landfill tax and fines from the Government in the future. Our waste plan aims to identify where we can build a new recycling plant to complement the one we already have. It will allow us to extend the range of materials that don't have to be put in landfill. This complies with the non-incineration Zero Waste Strategy adopted in December 2005 by the Liberal Democrat Council."

The Cabinet meets in public on Tuesday, 27 June to discuss how to involve every resident in the selection of the most appropriate site and the best way forward for waste disposal in Milton Keynes.

Right: Liberal Democrat Leader Ming Campbell visiting the Milton Keynes Recycling Factory last month, accompanied by Council Leader Isobel McCall and Cabinet Member for the Environment, Douglas McCall.