Message from the Leader of the Council, Cllr Paul Lorber

An Executive made up of Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors was elected to run Brent Council following the May 2006 election. Cllr Paul Lorber (Lib Dem) was elected Leader of the council.

We would all agree that recycling is important for our community. It produces less greenhouse gases than sending waste to landfill; it saves energy and cuts down on the use of resources.

This is why we are making it compulsory from June 2008.

We are lobbying the government to return the money it makes through landfill tax as was promised to the local authorities. We want to reduce the government landfill tax burden on our local people. I support the call of the Local Government Association for the return of money raised through landfill tax.

Landfill tax has gone up from £14 per tonne in 2005/2006 to £32 per tonne in 2008/09; it is constantly increasing and due to go up to £40 per tonne in 2010/11.

This is a significant addition to costs the council already has to meet on 110,000 tonnes of waste sent to landfill each year, with these extra costs falling on Brent Council tax payers.

The council stands to lose £9.2 million over the next three years, as a result of the increases. By cutting ten per cent from the amount we send to landfill would save Brent an estimated £615,000 in landfill taxes and fees for disposal in a full year.

Our aim is to hit 30 per cent by 2010, with the green box services you can recycle paper, glass, cans, plastic bottles, textiles, shoes, batteries and engine oil.

Recycling regularly will decrease the amount we spend on landfill and reduce pressure on council tax. This will give us motivation to achieve our goal, not only are you helping the environment, you are saving money.

I strongly agree that the council tax should not increase, and we are frequently looking at more efficient ways of working to keep any tax rise to a minimum. However this is due to inflation pressure, an increase in cost of looking after older people and those with disabilities; reductions in government funding for temporary accommodation, and increases in landfill tax. Brent's population is increasing, which is also affecting the cost of your council tax.

If we all work harder to recycle and create less waste, it will have an impact on the environment and on costs that councils have to play. I hope you will support us in this important endeavour.