R Crispin, (Letters, November 19) doubts the outcome of our recent waste public consultation, the results of which are on our website at http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/wastesurvey2009">www.westdevon.gov.uk/wastesurvey2009

Borough recycling is still good at 43%, compared to the national average, but our collective efforts have plateaued.  

National targets say we must achieve a minimum 45% recycled household waste by 2015 and 50% by 2020. Missing these targets will hit us all as council taxpayers through Landfill Tax penalties which will be escalated to force all councils to improve.

The survey question being challenged asked:-

If the council were to collect a wider range of materials for recycling every week (including food waste), would you prefer:-

The non-recyclable waste to be collected every other week or,

Weekly, at a higher cost to public funds or other services.

Deliberately phrased in two parts, 63% accepted the first proposition and 55% rejected a weekly collection if this was at a higher cost. The survey response of around 1,300 householders is credible and has influenced our decision making.

Many councillors supported the 15 consultation events around West Devon as well as canvassing their constituents.

The Yelverton event was particularly successful and the local member attended to discuss the options with residents.

The contract decision will be made by the council in late December and, following the legally required standstill period under European procurement law, the public announcement on the successful contractor will be made in mid-January.

Residents will see significant improvements in the new service which starts next April. Weekly food waste collections will be extended to all households together with the existing garden waste and bulky card collection, both of which are currently only available to a minority.

The weekly dry recyclable collection will also be expanded to accept more materials (eg, plastic bottles).

Most important, in such difficult times, these improvements come at an affordable price over the seven-year term.  

Cllr Robert Sampson

Chairman

Environment and Community Committee

I COMPLETED the survey to which R Crispin refers (Letters, November 19) which was on West Devon Borough Council's website. I was very dissatisfied with the answer options given, as it was clear that they were not seeking genuine feedback but trying to gain backing for a political fait accompli.

Respondents were asked to express a preference between halving the current refuse collection services or increasing the cost in council tax. There was no option to preserve the status quo by making savings in other areas!

I do not believe that this particular survey was in line with national guidelines on market research, and as such the council may find themselves facing a legal challenge if they try using it to justify cuts in household rubbish collections.

Ann Keelan

Whitchurch Road

Tavistock