A lot of negative stories in this weekend's press about local government in general and Reading Borough Council as much as any.
Although I don't agree with the more simplistic analysis of the 'Taxpayers' Alliance', their news last Friday of the vast spend of some councils on publicity, and that Reading Borough Council had one of the largest increases, deserves a full explanation. Which is exactly what I've asked for. At this time in particular, if the report is true, then it cannot represent an effective use of Reading taxpayers' income, and you have to wonder why Labour politicians sanctioned it.
Equally alarming were reports (first in the Daily Telegraph but the online version of the report was subsequently changed) about recyclable materials going to landfill. Again, Reading was quoted as being one of the worst authorities in the country for putting recyclable materials in landfill. I remember a couple of years ago this issue coming up amid a wave of tabloid opposition to recycling, and Reading giving clear statements that material collected for recycling was not being shipped to the other side of the globe, or being dumped in landfill. We already know that glass is ending up in landfill because Reading continues under Labour to refuse to have kerbside glass recycling. Again, I've asked for an urgent report on the veracity of these claims. The last week of the year, it seems, does not look like it'll be a quiet one.
