Waste excellence

WHEN it comes to waste management and recycling, Fenland has got it well and truly sorted, something that was recognised nationally after the council carried off an award at the Association of Public Service Excellence Awards ceremony in Gateshead.

Fenland already has nationally-recognised Beacon Status for the way it has tackled waste and recycling issues through its 'Getting it Sorted' initiative, but this recognition is particularly special because the authority beat off stiff competition from larger authorities around the country.

The council's innovative three-bin scheme, now rolled out across the whole of Fenland, is reaping dramatic rewards for the people of Fenland and the Environment. In recent years, the collecting and recycling of household waste has seen a 500 per cent improvement in recycling and composting rates.

While national satisfaction levels in waste collection and recycling are declining, Fenland has bucked the national trend, with public satisfaction levels continuing to rise.

Currently, Fenland recycles about 54 per cent of household waste and public satisfaction levels are running at 84 per cent for waste collection and 76 per cent for recycling.

Councillor Peter Murphy, portfolio holder for streetscene and waste, said: "This latest award is clear recognition that we have got it right when it comes to collecting and recycling household waste. Our success is the result of a team effort at all levels of the service, but I would particularly like to congratulate frontline staff, who have made the three-bin scheme such a success."

AWARD WINNERS: Picking up the council's public service excellence award are, left to right, Councillor Fred Yeulett, Councillor Peter Murphy, Councillor Geoff Harper and Councillor Mac Cotterell, with Sky TV's Adrienne Lawler.