Council replaces furniture instead of keeping Leisure Centres open

In the same week as the Conservative Administration on Wiltshire Council launched a consultation on landfill and recycling sites, the Council was revealed to be spending £24million on a revamp of Council buildings, and throwing out perfectly good furniture.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Mark Packard, Resources Spokesperson, said: "Whilst other Councils like Lib Dem controlled Bristol give away old electrical equipment to recycling projects, Conservative-run Wiltshire Council is sending furniture and equipment to landfill!"

"Do they not realise it costs the taxpayer £48 per tonne in landfill tax for all that Wiltshire Council senselessly throw away?"

Lim Dem Group Leader Jon Hubbard said: "Questions have to be asked over what message the Conservatives are sending with these actions. If we didn't have waste like this, throwing away furniture that others could use, would we need as many new landfill sites as the Conservatives are proposing?"

Councillor Hubbard continued "The County Hall revamp can save the taxpayer money if done correctly. Greater insulation and energy efficiency changes will payback within a couple of years. But I see no way that replacing perfectly reasonable furniture is the right way to spend public money. The Conservatives on Wiltshire Council need to start practicing what they preach"

Find out more on this story below

Liberal Democrat Bristol Council recycling scheme http://www.connectingbristol.org/2010/10/21/bristol-city-council-launches-37-free-wi-fi-hotspots-and-a-recycled-computer-scheme-to-help-residents-get-online/"

The story covered in the Wiltshire Times http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/inyourtown/wiltshire/8933484.Such_waste_from_Wiltshire_Council/