Embargo dogbins! - Sidmouth councillor

THERE should be an embargo on providing dog bins, a town councillor has suggested.

THERE should be an embargo on providing dog bins, a town councillor has suggested.

Discussing a resident's request to put a dog bin at the entrance to Sid Meadow, at Sidmouth Town Council's monthly meeting on Monday, Councillor Anne Liverton said: "I think we should declare an embargo on any more bins. People should be responsible with their dogs. What they should do is take it home.

"There is a proliferation of dog bins which cost the taxpayer. There will never be enough. Everyone wants one."

"I think we should declare and embargo unless they [those requesting one] pay for it."

As well as buying the bin, it costs �150 a year for East Devon District Council to make three collections a week from each one.

Councillor Christine Drew added: "I do think we are going down a slippery slope. "We are here to provide a service to the town and need to look at things like this seriously."

Councillor Mrs Sylvia Carr was concerned at the damage being caused in The Byes by EDDC's contractors when emptying the bins.

She said: "I have had three complaints in the last few weeks they are going on the grass. I don't think they should be down there."

An EDDC spokesman said the 3.5 tonne caged maroon van has always been used in the Sidmouth area by Sita.

He said: "This capacity is needed due to the volume of waste that is collected on the round [from both dog bins and some difficult-to-access domestic waste on certain days] and it would not be feasible to use a smaller van."

He said the operative tried to avoid grassed areas, adding: "There are times when it is unavoidable due to parked cars, Water Lane being the prime example in Sidmouth.