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colchesterfoeWill the ECC opposition groups pledge to pull out of the PFI bid and waste plans if the Tories lose their majority control on 4th June?
Dear Editor,
The proposal for massive waste plants and a 360,000 tonnes p.a. incinerator on our doorstep at Rivenhall Airfield was decided by Essex County Council on 24th April. Four Conservatives voted in favour and four LibDem and Labour councillors voted against. The Conservative chairman voted again with his casting vote to approve it.
Yet the Conservatives and Lord Hanningfield pledged since they were elected in 2001 that there would be no incinerator, and that if one was proposed there would be a referendum.
A demonstration on the County Hall steps was given big media coverage including news items on BBC LookEast, Anglia TV, local radio stations, the Gazette and central Essex newspapers.
Over 800 letters had been received with only one in favour of the application. Many objectors had written asking for the proposal to be 'called in' for a public inquiry and Minister Hazel Blears has now agreed it should be decided at an inquiry.
No proposal at Rivenhall can be considered until the inquiry has been completed. An incinerator is included in the county council's PFI (Private Finance Initiative) funding bid. Where will it be sited when the contracts go out to tender imminently? The Waste Plan permits one at here at Stanway.
The district councils have been required to sign legally-binding Inter Authority Agreements for 28.5 year waste contracts which will cost council taxpayers £8000 each. Colchester's new administration formally opposed the waste strategy and pulled out of the PFI bid.
This long-delayed PFI bid, including an incinerator, has been strongly opposed by many people. It will be decided by the Treasury shortly. Will the opposition groups pledge to pull out of the PFI bid and waste plans if the Tories lose their majority control on 4th June?
Yours sincerely,
Paula Whitney, Co-ordinator,
Colchester & NE Essex Friends of the Earth,
4 Shears Crescent,
West Mersea.
Dear Editor,
The proposal for massive waste plants and a 360,000 tonnes p.a. incinerator on our doorstep at Rivenhall Airfield was decided by Essex County Council on 24th April. Four Conservatives voted in favour and four LibDem and Labour councillors voted against. The Conservative chairman voted again with his casting vote to approve it.
Yet the Conservatives and Lord Hanningfield pledged since they were elected in 2001 that there would be no incinerator, and that if one was proposed there would be a referendum.
A demonstration on the County Hall steps was given big media coverage including news items on BBC LookEast, Anglia TV, local radio stations, the Gazette and central Essex newspapers.
Over 800 letters had been received with only one in favour of the application. Many objectors had written asking for the proposal to be 'called in' for a public inquiry and Minister Hazel Blears has now agreed it should be decided at an inquiry.
No proposal at Rivenhall can be considered until the inquiry has been completed. An incinerator is included in the county council's PFI (Private Finance Initiative) funding bid. Where will it be sited when the contracts go out to tender imminently? The Waste Plan permits one at here at Stanway.
The district councils have been required to sign legally-binding Inter Authority Agreements for 28.5 year waste contracts which will cost council taxpayers £8000 each. Colchester's new administration formally opposed the waste strategy and pulled out of the PFI bid.
This long-delayed PFI bid, including an incinerator, has been strongly opposed by many people. It will be decided by the Treasury shortly. Will the opposition groups pledge to pull out of the PFI bid and waste plans if the Tories lose their majority control on 4th June?
Yours sincerely,
Paula Whitney, Co-ordinator,
Colchester & NE Essex Friends of the Earth,
4 Shears Crescent,
West Mersea.
