Anger over Halesowen bin rations

A mother-of-four confronted councillors over a "ridiculous" decision to ration the collection of bin bags in Dudley.

She spoke out during heated exchanges at a public meeting.

Full-time mother Tanya Priest was backed by a noisy following of 50 residents as she took the fight to Dudley Council's Halesowen area committee.

She criticised the cost-cutting scheme planned for homes in the Dudley borough, and her passionate speech to the panel of councillors was warmly applauded.

It followed news announced last week that binmen will refuse to take more than three black bin bags from each home. Previously no restriction on the number of bags collected had been in force but bosses say the limit is being imposed to encourage recycling.

Other changes prompted by a review include bin bags being distributed to residents in large batches. A roll of 26 bags, to last six months, will be delivered to each household before a roll of 52 bags, to last a year, is sent out later.

Meanwhile, a trial of plastic and cardboard recycling to 300 streets in the borough also starts this month. The changes received a hostile response at last night's area committee meeting.

Mrs Priest, aged 45, told the meeting: "When I came back from shopping I found a large wad of bin bags dumped on my path and a leaflet informing me I could only put out three bags of rubbish a week. Three bags — for six people? It's ridiculous."

The gallery of residents applauded. Belle Vale councillor and committee chairman Robert James said the pilot recycling scheme would be rolled out across the borough "if successful".

He said residents could put out extra bags "but they will be charged for".

By Mark Mudie