CONTROVERSY raged at Waverley Borough Council headquarters in Godalming surrounding the provision of garden waste sacks. The eco-exchange took place at Tuesday's meeting of WBC's environment and leisure overview scrutiny committee, with an outspoken councillor brandishing WBC's actions as "shambolic". The scheme was advertised in January through leaflets and the WBC website, Waverley residents were offered the chance to have two green sacks of garden waste collected on a fortnightly basis. Subscribers were asked to pay £40 per annum for the service. However, since the inception of the scheme, the garden waste receptacles themselves have come under scrutiny, with the introduction of the service being delayed "a few days later than previously planned", according to a statement. Ordered before Christmas, sacks arrived at WBC, yet following close scrutiny, it became evident that they were smaller than the ordered size. This variation in size of the sacks was deemed unacceptable, and WBC's environment department promptly cancelled the order, sending back approximately 4,000 bags in the process, seeking an alternative supplier. Deeming the U-turn as "shambolic" and a "waste of valuable officer time," councillor Maurice Byham was unimpressed. "The small bags ordered were nonsense - less than 60 litres is hardly more than one mower bag. I am still very disappointed that the £40 per two sacks charge applies, but at least the larger bags represent somewhat better value," he remarked. However, in a statement, WBC was keen to place a positive spin on the matter. "The new sacks - which will be delivered to subscribers over the next two to three weeks - will be larger than those ordered by residents, and at no extra cost to either the council or garden waste subscribers. "The new sacks will mean extra recycling capacity for households involved with the scheme." Peter Maudsley, Waverley's director of environment and leisure was also enthusiastic about the spotting of the error. "When the original garden sacks were delivered, we felt that they just weren't good enough. Among other things, the size of the sacks was inconsistent so we couldn't guarantee that people would be getting the product they paid for. "The new sacks are slightly larger than residents have been expecting, meaning they can recycle even more garden waste for the same annual subscription. "We expect to receive the new sacks soon and we will be delivering them to local subscribers to the scheme. "Anyone who has any questions about the scheme or the new sacks, can call Waverley's environment team on 01252 717614," he added.
