People often say to me that they don’t follow politics, but the fiasco of how Wiltshire Council has contracted out litter picking, grass cutting and road maintenance to Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) shows how “politics” impacts on ordinary life. The only silver lining is that the grass is now so long that we can’t see the litter.

The council is responding to the failure of BBLP’s Highways Team to keep the rural roads clear of detritus during the financial year 2013/2014 by asking BBLP to scale back road sweeping in built up areas in 2014/2015. Although the Conservatives hide behind some convoluted reasoning, the blunt truth is that our town centres will be dirtier than before, and this will have an impact on high street businesses.

Wiltshire residents should not have to choose between clean towns or clean rural roads. We are entitled to expect both.

The Conservative Council contracted to BBLP seeking to make savings, but the contractor has failed to provide value for money, and has failed to meet reasonable expectations of service. As we all know, the cheapest option is not always the best. It is time for Conservative Councillors to admit that things are going wrong with this contract, and to get tough with BBLP.

Published and promoted by Chippenham Labour Party on behalf of Andy Newman, both of 5 Elm Hayes, Corsham, SN13 9JW