Council talks rubbish

Grey sky, constant drizzle and it’s first thing on a Monday morning in Easton: these are conditions barely conducive to getting the local citizenry out to a meeting with representatives of our beloved city council to discuss waste and recycling in Easton. I was originally going to blog it here, but since I was asked to produce a report for Bristol Indymedia, I’ve done a piece there instead.

What I can do here is give my thoughts on the meeting and its participants.

Firstly, it was a shame there were so few members of the local public there. True, some of the council/voluntary sector representatives did live in the area, genuine unattached locals were thin on the ground. This was in spite of heavy local publicity through mailing lists, personal contacts, web postings, etc.

Secondly, it was good to put a face to the name Jim Carpenter. Jim and I may not always agree, but have a healthy respect for each others’ opinions. Jim’a also the Chair of Easton Residents’ Network and deserves thanks for taking the chair and keeping order.

Third, it was good to get to know my local ward councillor, Sue O’Donnell, with whom I’ve been corresponding by email for many months. Her most pertinent comment in my direction: “I’m sick of Easton being used as a dumping ground”. Well, Sue as an elected representative, you’re in a position to do something… Do you have enough influence to counter the stranglehold of great and the good of more prosperous areas such as Clifton?

Finally, what can I say about Gary Hopkins, the councillor with executive responsibility for waste and recycling and not be unkind or get sued for libel? Very little. His officers remaining quiet while members of the public harangued him spoke volumes. I was also not impressed with his tendency to indulge in council chamber petty political point-scoring with members of the public. He should make ideal Member of Parliament material, if my spies inform me correctly.