TORIES APOLOGISE OVER WHEELED BINS IN WOKING - MEDIA RELEASE

10.00.00am GMT Fri 17th Dec 2004

Woking Liberal Democrats Parliamentary Spokesperson, Dr Anne Lee, said: Cllr Rosie Sharpley (Liberal Democrat Councillor for Goldsworth East) has tirelessly campaigned for her residents to try to make the waste collection scheme respond to their needs. The Council Meeting last night proved her right. The Conservative led Executive admitted that they had been incompetent when the leader, Conservative Councillor Jim Armitage said "we did make mistakes in not allocating resources for the pilot...we got it wrong".

It was left to Liberal Democrats to find details of other schemes, which they have given to the Council, to demonstrate how waste collection and recycling should be done. Anne Lee said "I hope that this abject apology from the Tories will herald a new attitude towards residents needs - but I will need much convincing that they have really learned from this sorry episode".

Further information: Dr Anne Lee 07973 175059