Barb's Wire with Cheltenham borough councillor Barbara Driver: Council needs to take stock of failed services

OVER these last few weeks Cheltenham has had too many problems with failed services which tax payers pay for. There have been many excuses, but not one little word from the leader of the council like sorry, or indeed any word.

While the talking is going on as to what went wrong it would help if the CBC and cabinet also looked into other areas which come under Ubico which need attention like cleaning the roads. They cannot hide any more by saying it is the responsibility of a commissioned company. If council tax money pays for a service, the council are responsible for making sure people get what they pay for.

Before we even think about any more commissioning or other ways of unloading responsibility, like the charitable trusts which is now being considered, the council have to stop, take stock, look at the Ubico failings and think again at who takes responsibility when things go wrong.

I do think because of the large sums of money that comes into the council every year through council tax it should be run more like a large company, but I am told this is not possible.

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The cabinet has the chance to turn a negative into a positive and take a long hard look at rubbish pick-up, recycling and at the dump.

One priority is getting more smaller vans which can get round all streets which I understand is being considered. More recycling bin areas would also help those with no car or mobility problems. People who live in small flats or studios do not have room for all the boxes so recycling is difficult.

Finding places to put more recycling collection points is not easy, but worth looking into. Unfortunately the one at Waitrose is now often too full to be any use but that does not come under CBC control sorry to say.

Planned and organised rotas for street cleaning could be included in any discussions. This is a huge problem where there is a high quantity of commuter and residents on street parking. Something which could be looked into is having some form of rota so residents know when it is happening rather than having to put in a special request.

I think these last few weeks have been a learning curve for many and a headache for some.