A member of Lichfield District Council’s cabinet has stepped down from his post in the wake of issues with the roll-out of new recycling bags.
The local authority said Cllr Yeates – who held the portfolio for climate change and recycling – would depart to “focus on his entertainment business”.
The Conservative representative for Mease Valley had come under fire in recent weeks after a mix-up over a new recycling bags which has seen homes across Lichfield and Burntwood receive bags a third smaller than they should have been.
Cllr Doug Pullen, leader of Lichfield District Council, said:
“I’d like to thank Cllr Yeates for his work over the last few years, and wish him all the best as he continues to serve his residents as a district councillor.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
Cllr Liz Little will return to the cabinet with responsibility for the joint waste service from tomorrow (10th May).
She had previously quit the leadership group at the local authority after a clash over plans to build thousands of new homes across the district.
Cllr Pullen said that the new cabinet member’s background in commercial waste management would allow her to “begin to address the unease” surrounding the roll-out of the new dual recycling system.
“I’m delighted that Liz is joining us back on cabinet – she has enviable knowledge of the waste and recycling industry and I know that she will begin to meticulously address what is a complex challenge.”
Cllr Doug Pullen, Lichfield District Council
I wish Liz well and look forward to her attending the next Climate Change Task Group meeting soon once we can agree a convient date.
convenient
Entertainment business ? He would make a good joker !!! Shame others don’t quit on their failings ?
Maybe she can improve the sustainability of all those new homes being built – fit solar panels, heat pumps etc limit the use of gas for heating. Improve the public transport network and actually do something that helps mitigate for climate change.
At least some action in resigning BUT who in LDC employment is responsible for this mess? What action has been taken to remove the person[s] who signed the order? who received & checked the delivery? who went ahead & distributed the wrong bags? etc etc. Surely the buck does not stop with a part time Councillor.
Scandal after scandal with these lot.
Can we vote him out as a Cllr because he’s resigned as a result of his own shambles?
Anyone know the rules?
Does this mean that Liz will review the entire situation/solution (and re-deploy as appropriate), or will she be tasked to simply ‘re-sell’ the existing problematic bag issue ?
Resign but still councillors. What a complete farce
to a degree it looks like cabinet members with specific responsibilities have little idea on what to do. What’s happening with actual council employees. We could ask IF the door was actually open to the public – which now, it’s NOT.
According to the Councillors register of interests Councillor Little does or has worked for Veolia. I’m sorry to say it isn’t clear what her status is or was with Veolia, maybe that’s deliberately confusing. Now isn’t that the same waste management company that deals with our recycling?
If we accept the glowing praise of the Leader of the Council she must of been in a very senior position. No conflict of interest there then?
What. A. Farce.
You’ll notice how Pullen and Eadie accept no responsibility for this mess, accepting the resignations……
Pullen’s trip to Ukraine may have smoothed over the cracks of his tenure but, his staunch support of Fabricant, his refusal to condemn senior Tory’s actions and words, really does stick in the throat of this floating voter.
The Blue Bags are useless.
Have they thought about the elderly and disabled people who will be unable to pick them up. Why cant we have some smaller bins instead.
Celia
Next chance we get we need to vote all these idiots out. Can we have a group of independents stand please who will prioritise the protection of the countryside and ensure that future housebuilding is appropriate, with the correct infrastructure in place? Not high density crammed ugly boxes, but nice, spaced-out developments with plenty of green space, new secondary schools, GP practices, dentists and the like. Wouldn’t that be nice.
Complex challenge? Only In a paid public sector role could somebody talk such none sense.
Problem solved then. Me thinks not! After this debacle he needs to resign his seat not just his portfolio.
If Councillor Yeates had Councillor Liz Little as a colleague who has “an enviable knowledge of the waste and recycling industry”, and an ability to “meticulously address what is a complex challenge”, did he not consult her on the amateurish hair brained plan hatched by the paid officers, before procurement went ahead ?
Seems an obvious practical liaison to me. Maybe he wanted all the glory for himself, or the odium if it went pear-shaped. Well, he certainly deserved and got the latter.
Unfortunately, we in Tamworth have been dragged into this farce, too. Still, the way the bin men treat the bags, we’ll soon need new ones! Dragged by the top flap, across the road to the truck, then just chucked on the floor.
These people don’t live in the real world!
The blue bags are ridiculous, not only too small but not user friendly, especially for pensioners.
Another colour bin would fit the bill.
Why didn’t they just issue a blue plastic sack or was this too simple.
Who gets envious at someone’s knowledge of the recycling industry.
I get that we must move forward as a country (county) & start to recycle more so it becomes the norm, however in this instance more scrutiny is being placed on the customer for the initial sorting waste….once you make a process demanding, most will ignore “it’s human nature” so in fact instead of maintaining LDCs very good record of recycling turnover, I fear most will resign to filling more black bags with cardboard/paper which will have the opposite outcome…
My blue bag is now jammed full and overflowing, blue bin however is barely 20% – if we HAVE to stay with blue bags it needs to be the other way round, we all in these times of home deliveries have more card and paper than cans and plastics – no brainer but then the council are clearly lacking in that department !!
Hold on, This lass previously quit the leadership group at the local authority after a clash over plans to build thousands of new homes across the district.So have the houses not been built ? And that is why she has come back?This is almost as laughable as the blue bag of B******s
While our attention has understandibly be taken up with the “Blue Bag” fiasco
Can I draw your attention to another item that has slipped into the background,
Time to respond is ticking away, I think their are 2 weeks left
===============================
Lichfield City Centre Resident Survey Now Open
Create Streets has launched a digital survey to ask people for their views on city centre redevelopment
A digital survey seeking views on redevelopment in Lichfield city centre is now live.
The city centre redevelopment plan is now seeking residents’ opinions before Lichfield District Council approaches architects, designers and businesses to build detailed plans for the Birmingham Road, Frog Lane area of the city.
Prize -winning design consultancy Create Streets has been appointed to launch the innovative, interactive digital survey to ask the people of Lichfield for their views on what any new city centre buildings should look like and how they should complement the existing infrastructure.
The survey is now live at https://communities.createstreets.com/LichfieldCityCentre
Leader of the Council, Councillor Doug Pullen encourages as many people as possible to take part
“I want to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to contribute their thoughts to the survey considering the design and feel of the new development. Lichfield is already a fabulous place to live, work and visit, but we need to ensure that any new buildings reflect the strong cultural heritage and that we co-create spaces that are attractive and in keeping with our beautiful city. The residents of Lichfield are the best people to ask. We will look at every single comment made in the survey and all opinions will be taken into account as we further the plans.”
The survey will be open for four weeks and the results will be shared over the summer.
Published: 29 April 2022
It’s evident that the comments made by residents 90% are wanting cabinet changes. While I understand that we need representation and innovative ideas we need competency too. It’s no good having the knowledge of how to use a hammer if you can’t hit the nail.
As for the temporary fix, surely it’s better to admit this bag scheme isn’t going to work and let us re use the blue bins until they sort out this mess.
Woody, thank you. This needs to be advertised far more, as it is really important to Lichfield we get this right. We don’t want the Council complaining that they’ve only had 100-odd responses again!
The whole set up is a cross between roundabout and gravy train. It’s a good job these people don’t have to be accountable, they wouldn’t survive in private industry where their output would be measured and assessed.
Finally! A Conservative with integrity!
Why are hot food delivery men allowed to park all day outside the back of McDonald’s on double yellow lines and also in front of the same shop which was once a convenient disabled parking area.That was Liz Littles contribution to Lichfield.Anyone who has received a parking ticket in Lichfield should ask for a refund.Today I was told by someone in a relevant position that hundreds of parking tickets have been issued to these people but non have ever been paid. I bet the council do nothing about it.They all need to go
Sorry I don’t get why councillors have to resign because officers once again cocked up? Councillors have very little say in the running of the council that’s clear from all other previous scandals .. These events will just keep happening if the root cause is not addressed and I don’t see any of the councillors as the problem other than they need to be more prepared to fire
Resigning from the council completely would have been a more meaningful gesture. No doubt he will be back in another position before long. As for bag gate, after the friarsgate mess up surely sorting a bag size should have been child’s play but hey it is Lichfield Council. Dread to think what’s next!
Frying pan and incinerator come to mind!
Maybe a good idea for a few of them to jump ship,who are they representing?obviously our opinion doesn’t count.
Maybe she can look at the additional traffic caused by the number of new housing estates along Eastern Avenue. Its getting more and more impossible to pull out onto Eastern Avenue to get anywhere these days… only see movement when the ambulances fire down it…… its gonna become total gridlock and its not climate friendly sitting with engines running going no where…..
Suggest councilors go out for a few days with the dust cart crews to see what a farcical operation to have to contend with blue bags won’t work causing extra work GIve the councilors overalls to get stuck in
Will all of you please resign. You’re dogsh*t.
What a load of Friars Balsam
We need to get rid of these people who brought in the blue bags scheme they have no idea at all they are living in a different world so hopefully we can get a chance and sack the lot of them and vote for a independent who has a idea not just ticking boxes to look like they know what they are doing