South Meadows Action Group

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Dear SMAG Member,

This is an important moment for SMAG – Strike while the iron is hot!

At a well-attended session with the Transport and Environment Committee (TEC) on Thursday – 29th January, there was a good turnout from SMAG members. Nick delivered a very strong presentation, and he and Kate responded to questions from Committee members.

Disappointingly, Appendix 4 (recent Bin-Hub Review) highlighted that only 22 Bin-Hubs have been scheduled for removal or relocation out of the 266 submissions which had been placed on the priority list for review. Furthermore, residents had not been informed as to why their submissions had been unsuccessful.

Nick ended our Deputation with three demands:

1. That we are given a clear explanation as to why the Updated Framework has not, yet, been implemented

2. That the TEC reaffirm and enforce the principle that Bin-Hubs must be sited to minimise impacts of noise, odour, privacy and outlook, must not span the threshold of any property; and that those causing demonstrable harm, will be relocated as a matter of necessity – not discretion.

3. That a transparent, timebound programme for review and relocation which reflects the urgency of the situation, and with clear responsibilities and milestones against which this Council can be held to account is published.

For the first time in two years, the Chair of the TEC, Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, explicitly acknowledged the concerns we have been raising and offered to meet with SMAG to discuss ‘individual specific bin-hubs that we have issues with’ – residents who are being most severely affected. This is the first direct opening we have been given, and we must act on it quickly and seriously.

Particularly since the afternoon discussions confirmed an unwillingness to have further reviews.What happens next – and why this is urgent for your action. The SMAG Committee will meet on Wednesday (Feb 4th) to prepare for the meeting with Cllr Stephen Jenkinson on a how our submissions are to be structured and presented.

To do this properly, we urgently need to hear from residents now.

What you need to do!

1. Please email us as soon as possible if you (or a neighbour) are experiencing serious impacts, to help determine which cases to put forward for direct discussion with the TEC for example:

  • Daily disturbance, noise, or obstruction
  • Health or mobility impacts
  • Safety concerns
  • Disproportionate or prolonged disruption
  • Where the bin hub is having a severe effect on quality of life
  • Number of times you have emailed/contacted the Council

2. Want to attend the Committee meeting? To attend next Wednesday’s SMAG Committee meeting, please email [email protected]

3. Contact your Council representatives directly. It’s very effective. Contact details are at the end of this emergency newsletter.

4. Use and promote the SMAG website www.smagsco.org. It has just been updated with our latest news. Please visit it and share it with neighbours and any influencers in your family.

5. Photos of bin hub abuse – needed now. Please send copies of photos showing bin hub misuse or abuse to [email protected]

These will be posted publicly on the SMAG website to evidence current conditions.

If you have ideas, evidence, or suggestions, please send them to:

[email protected]

Kate, Alastair, June, Silke & Nick

SMAG Committee

How to contact your elected representative

  • Transport & Environment Committee councillors: – Contact details – Transport and Environment Committee – Modern Council