Townhill residents claim they were 'kept in the dark' on bin bag checks
TOWNHILL residents have said they had no idea officials would be rifling through their rubbish as part of an Assembly-funded initiative.
But Swansea Council has insisted they were warned.
It has now emerged homes in other parts of the city were targeted too, with homes in Gorseinon and Killay taking part.
Last week residents in Townhill got together demanding to know why they were "left in the dark" about staff from a Government-backed company tagging their bags and taking them away for analysis.
The residents — members of the Mayhill and Townhill Community Housing Organisation (Matcho) — held an emergency meeting after the story emerged.
Tony Roper, chairman of Matcho, and chairman of Townhill Pact, said: "On this issue, we have been kept completely in the dark."
The Assembly says Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap), a Government-backed, not-for-profit company, has been carrying out the work on behalf of itself and Swansea Council.
A spokesman for Wrap Cymru said they were concerned to hear that householders weren't aware of the research.
"Letters were hand- delivered by Swansea Council in mid-November," he said.
A spokesman for Swansea Council said: "Letters were delivered to residents on the 17th November and the waste collected and analysed between the 2nd and 4th of December. Residents were given various contact numbers should they wish to opt out of the project. No calls were received requesting to opt out."
emma.judd@swwmedia.co.uk
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5 Comments
by Stephen, Townhill
Saturday, December 11 2010, 3:49PM
“As a Resident on the Hill, I Strongly Disagree With James Sheridan's Comments. It Seems the Gentleman is a Very Negative Person. And his comments are below the belt and Completely Unfair. Maybe James should consider getting involved and actually do some work in the community, maybe then he won't be such a Negative Person.
People are quick to Complain and Moan All the Time, but they Never Recongise the hard work done by the MATCHO. Also bare in mind, MATCHO is Run by UNPAID Community Members, who Work So Hard !!!!!!!!!!!
All My Best Wishes go to those hard working Volunteers at MATCHO, Keep Up The Good Work X X X X :)”
by MATCHO Officers, Townhill, Mayhill, Gors
Saturday, December 11 2010, 3:32PM
“In Response to James Sheridan's Negative Comments: MATCHO Makes Every Effort to Contact Residents and Keep Them Informed. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH ALL RESIDENTS !!!! MATCHO holds Regular Monthly Meetings, Every Month on a Wednesday at the Lady of Lourdes Church Upper Hall, meetings start at 6pm
We send emails to Everyone on our contact list reminding them when the next meeting would be. We have set up a Facebook Group, which has become VERY Popular, we have 108 members & continue to get more. WE KEEP EVERYONE ON Our Facebook Group UPDATED VERY REGULAR. We have also provided details of the Officers who Run MATCHO on the Group. ANYONE CAN ACCESS THE INFOMATION AND ANYONE CAN JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP.
In Addition to the above we Speak to People at Meetings and People on the Streets and give them details. We also ring around and speak to People on the Phone. We also Contact All The Relevant Agencies to Remind them to attend the meeting. Fiona Hughes Safer Swansea Partnership, Councillor Peter May Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor David Hopkins, and Housing Manager Dave Richards Attend MATCHO Every Month !!!! Also the Chairman Tony Roper & Vice Chairman Stephen JJ Ellis of Townhill PACT ATTEND EVERY MEETING !!!!
SO I COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH Mr Sheridans Comments. People take to much Pleasure Complaining and Critising Without any Cause. MATCHO WORKS VERY VERY VERY HARD FOR THE RESIDENTS of Townhill, Mayhill & Gors and Will Continue TO DO SO !!!!
Thanks
Merry Christmas to Everyone and A Happy New Year
Best Wishes
Everyone at MATCHO X X X X”
by James Sheridan, Swansea
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 7:35PM
“It seems that MATCHO's communications with Residents is as bad as Swansea Councils! This is because I am a Resident in the area, yet I was not informed about this 'emergency meeting'! If I wasn't aware of it, surely there would have been others too!? What is the point of MATCHO holding meetings if they themselves don't inform the people who live on the Hill!? Or does MATCHO like to keep the Residents in the 'dark' also!?”
by JJ, Swansea
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 4:52PM
“It's about time Swansea city council got they act together and start kerbside collection of plastics and not putting it into landfill. Think of the environment.”
by TrashLibDems, Laid Black-Hill
Wednesday, December 16 2009, 3:25PM
“What do you expect from a Council that hires Private investigation firms to spy on it's own employees? Loses in subsequent Employment Tribunals and expects the citizen to pick up the Legal Tab.This is bang out of order and actionable under HRA legislation..Matcho take advice and start going through the Council's dirty linen..there's plenty there!!”