Shock as Green Party back Labour and scupper extra recycling bid

12.00.00am GMT Tue 11th Mar 2008

The Green Party voted against allowing local people to recycle more

Sheffield's two Green councillors have scuppered the Liberal Democrats plans for extra recycling in a key vote in Sheffield Town Hall today. The Greens voted for the controlling Labour Groups budget which meant that the Labour budget was approved due to the 'no overall control' position on Sheffield City Council. Sheffield Green Party voted against extra recycling, more money for parks and more sustainable local communities.

In the special budget council meeting of Sheffield City Council the Liberal Democrats proposed a whole raft of green measures, including kerbside recycling either glass or tins across the city. As the council is in no overall control it could have been agreed if supported by the minor parties.

However, despite all the green measures in the Lib Dem budget, the Greens shockingly backed Labour. The votes was 40 in favour, whilst 44 (including the two Greens voted against). If the Greens had backed the Lib Dem budget it would have been 42 for and 42 against, with the Lib Dem Lord Mayor using his casting vote to approve the Lib Dem budget.

Cllr David Baker, Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Sheffield City Council said: -

"If the two Green councillors had voted with us today then the people of Sheffield could have looked forward to a new kerbside recycling scheme collecting glass or tin. I'm shocked that the Greens voted against our proposal, which was fully costed and agreed with council officers."

"Because of the Green's backing Labour our other environmentally friendly proposals, including offering green waste sacks for free and making local communities more sustainable by regenerating local shopping areas, where voted down."

"Everyone who voted for the Green Party in Sheffield at the local elections will be scratching their heads wondering why on earth the Green councillors voted against these measures to tackle climate change, backing Labour instead. Clearly the only thing that's green about the Green Party in Sheffield is their name."

Green measures in the Lib Dem budget which could have been passed included:

> £1,400,000 to provide kerbside recycling of either glass or tins.

> £115,000 to provide the current £1 green waste sacks for free.

> £500,000 to regenerate local shopping areas in order to create more sustainable communities and help small local business.

> £287,000 to provide a 'green pot' for local community groups to bid for funding to carry out community environmental projects.

> £40,000 extra on top of the Labour budget for an even better bus service on New Years Day.

> Start using tap after instead of bottled water in the Council as it does unnecessary damage to the environment.

> £350,000 extra to invest in local parks