The Conservative Party’s attempts to gain credibility as an environmentally-sensitive government in waiting has jeopardised by their decision to allow the Conservative Green Initiatives to be chaired by Michael Gilbert of the British Cement Association. The Association has been described by a senior campaigner as being responsible for “the filthiest industry around – known for its breaches of regulations, its deceit and its contempt for the public”. [Visit the UKWIN Co-incineration page to learn more].
Also worrying is the situation in Chester, where Conservatives have used their power to block the appointment to the Joint Waste Management Board of Tony Sherlock. The County Council’s manager for waste and planning, Harold Collin, told the executive in a report that “the Board would enable councillors to be fully up-to-date with the procurement of the contract for the disposal and treatment of waste in Cheshire and would provide advice to the executive on the way forward”.
Councillor Sherlock is described as ” and expert” and “an experienced environmentalist” by the Chester Chronicle and as a “respected councillor who lives among the working class people of Ellesmere Port” by Ralph Ryder, a seasoned anti-incineration campaigner. “Once again we appear to have a stitch-up at County, where the social and economic community of Ellesmere Port are once again losing out”, says the campaigner.
It comes as no surprise to observers that instead of Cllr Sherlock being appointed, the executive agreed that Conservative councillors Needham, Ebo and Ritchie should represent Cheshire West and Chester on the Board.
Councillor Tony Sherlock (Labour, Grange & Rossmore) chaired the Ellesmere Port and Neston’s environment committee for many years and helped form the respected Ellesmere Port and Neston Air Quality Forum. The Forum brings industry, the local community and other stakeholders together. There are fears that Chester Conservatives will now attempt to disband the Forum.
Ralph Ryder, Coordinator of Communities Against Toxics (CATs) and a fellow founder member of the Air Quality Forum, describes Councillor Sherlock as “a long time friend and an avid reader of ToxCat magazine, who understands more about waste than any of the other councillors”. Ryder goes on to explain:
Comments made by Cllr Mike Jones (Con, Broxton) that “councillors appointed to the board should reflect the policies of the administration” provide observers with a clear insight into what the Tories were looking for – a puppet who will do their bidding and not upset the apple cart. The pyromaniacs are holding on to power at the expense of the community.
Sherlock “seems to have experience that would be invaluable to this new authority, facing as it does the prospect of another incinerator in the not too distant future” says Cllr Pat Merrick (Labour Councillor for Grange & Rossmore), who is deputy Labour leader on the shadow council.
Cllr Merrick went on to say:
Cllr Sherlock has been a borough councillor for nearly 30 years and has had to deal with the very genuine fears and concerns of the public of Ellesmere Port which he has always done in a calm, open and honest way. My fears are that the best people for the job will be overlooked.
Not that the Labour Party offers a shining alternative. UKWIN notes the recent Private Eye article entitled A Rubbish Appointment that focusses on Hillary Armstrong’s paid role with SITA as chair of their advisory board. The piece ends by commenting on the fact that Armstrong has been “put in charge of some parts of the next [Labour] manifesto, which means Labour’s policies are being drawn up by an employee of a French privatisation company”.