At a council meeting last night, Labour blocked a Liberal Democrat attempt to restore litter bins recently removed in York.

The Liberal Democrat Group on City of York Council proposed a motion at the Full Council meeting, asking for the 349 litter and dog bins recently cut by the authority to be returned. The motion suggested that the £40,000 cost be funded by reducing the Labour Cabinet from 8 members to 6 members. All opposition Lib Dem, Conservative, Green and Independent councillors voted in favour, but it was voted down by Labour councillors.

Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services who moved the motion, commented:

“It is disappointing that Labour prioritised their own pay packets over frontline services. Across the city people have been annoyed and concerned by the removal of 349 litter and dog bins without any consultation. Our motion simply asked Labour to recognise this and put back all bins where there was demand to do so.

“It was astonishing that Labour did not even try to defend or justify their decision. These cuts are not about government funding reductions; they are about the spending decisions that Labour are making on the ground here in York and their attempt to blame the government is just not correct. It is not a matter of enforced cuts just Labour’s spending priorities. Frontline services have been axed in favour of pay increases for councillors.

“Removing bins will lead to more litter and a general deterioration in the look and feel of our streets. We believe these cuts are wrong and unnecessary and we have now launched a city-wide petition to try to get Labour to listen to residents and get the bins back.”

The Liberal Democrat petition on litter bin cuts can be found at: http://yorklibdems.org.uk