Local MEP Takes Wind Farm Protest to Party Conference

Roger Helmer, who is one of the two Conservative MEPs in the East Midlands region of the UK, will be speaking out against excessive wind power development at a fringe meeting in the Freedom Zone at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester next week.

On Monday 3rd October at 10.15am a panel of three speakers, including Matthew Sinclair of the Taxpayers' Alliance, Struan Stevenson MEP (Scotland) and Roger Helmer MEP, will discuss the coalition government's very dangerous policies on renewable energy, and especially their commitment to wind power.

All three speakers have campaigned against current energy policies. Matthew Sinclair's new book 'Let Them Eat Carbon', is a very effective and damning critique of renewables policy. MEPs Helmer & Stevenson have joined local campaign groups in opposing wind farm projects near residential areas, and making information public to constituents who need to be informed of the real costs of Chris Huhne's decisions on energy matters.

Ahead of the event, Mr Helmer commented about the current Energy Minister's work:

"Mr Huhne's renewables policy is futile, ineffectual and vastly expensive. It is time for a re-think".

Members of the public and press are invited to attend the discussion panel next week in Manchester. The Freedom Association (of which Roger Helmer is a past Chairman), holds the annual Freedom Zone event on the fringe of the Conservative Party Conference. It is hosting the controversial debate, and a conference pass is NOT needed to access the Freedom Zone at the Bridgewater Hall on Lower Mosley Street, Manchester.

Residents Pleased At Telephone Box Refurbishment

Local residents in Nettleham have today been admiring the painting of the traditional telephone box which stands on the Green in the village.

The painting of the telephone box was requested Nettleham Parish Council following retention of the kiosk by BT last year.

The kiosk is now resplendent in a fine coat of glossy red paint with the crowns near the top finished in gold.

Nettleham Parish Councillor Giles McNeill said:

"We had a Property Committee last week were concerned to learn that no progress had been made, save that BT would, at an unspecified future date, have the telephone box inspected.

"I am please that the dedicated, hard work by the Council's staff has led to this iconic piece of street furniture being re-painted. Hopefully this will not go unnoticed in next year's Best Kept Village Competition."

Changes to Waste Services At West Lindsey

Garden waste collections in West Lindsey will be suspended from November until the end of February 2012, councillors have decided.

This decision was approved by the Prosperous Communities Committee on Wednesday and will help the council save a total of £168,000.

Waste Services Manager, Mr. Glyn Pilkington explained that during the winter months there is a dramatic reduction in the amount of garden waste collected. He said:

“All councils have to make significant savings and we’ve had to review everything we deliver and make some tough decisions – including suspending garden waste collections.

“We apologise for the inconvenience, and we are here to answer any questions residents may have.”

Prior to the decision, the council consulted with members of West Lindsey’s Citizens’ Panel where more than 850 responded to a recent survey.

Residents are now being encouraged to consider composting their garden waste or take it to their local household waste recycling centre (HWRC).

There will also be a restructure of the refuse and recycling collections from the start of November 2011. This may mean a change of collection day for some residents.

New waste collection calendars will be delivered to all homes in West Lindsey during October and residents are asked to read their new calendars carefully to see how the changes will affect them.

The changes are aimed at giving local people better value for money by making the refuse and recycling collection rounds more cost effective and at the same time reducing carbon emissions.

Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee, Councillor Malcolm Parish, Conservative (Welton Ward), said:

“Councils have no choice but to be smarter about how they spend money.

“By restructuring our rounds we can make this considerable saving without reducing the quality of service to local people.

“The green garden waste service is popular and well used throughout most of the year but our lorries collect much less during the winter months and our residents have told us that this is an area we should look at to make efficiency savings.”

Other options for garden waste disposal include home composting.  Subsidised composters starting at £15 are available by contacting 0844 571 4444 or by ordering on line at http://www.lincscc.getcomposting.com/

Alternatively, you can use your local Household Waste Recycling Centre – further information is available at www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/hwrc
.