When in doubt... blame the officers.

There's been a bit of a fuss this week over Cornwall Council's plans to introduce fortnightly rubbish collections. I have to tell you that I think it's pretty bold of Julian German's Waste Directorate (or whatever the hell these Council departments call themselves these days) to be thinking along these lines. As we know, Cornwall has one or two issues with the whole topic of waste at the moment and there's nothing wrong with looking at all methods of cutting down the amount we send to landfill. On the other hand, fortnightly collections have a number of associated problems and they're not exactly popular with the locals.

Even so, a line appeared in the Council's Draft Budget Plan proposing implementation of just such a plan in two years' time (you can find the whole, dull document on Cornwall Council's website - skip to page 54 of the PDF under 'Low Risk Savings'). Apparently when this was raised at the Council's Cabinet meeting this week the word from Alec Robertson and Julian German was that this was merely a draft budget but that all things had to be considered.

Yesterday the emphasis had shifted a little. County Hall put out a press release claiming that "this was not being currently considered by the Council and was merely an option which had been put forward by officers". Sheryll Murray, the Conservative PPC for South East Cornwall trumpeted this statement on Twitter as proof that scaremongering was afoot (I'm still waiting for a reply or two from her as to whether this definitely means it's been ruled out entirely). It certainly appears the Council is putting forward a defence of plausible deniability this side of the General Election, hence the officers taking the rap.

I'm sorry, but this actually makes me angry and I don't believe a word of their explanation. Even if the original idea had come from the Waste 'boffins' at County Hall, nothing would have appeared in that document without the agreement of the Cabinet before the meeting. It may well have been a bit of 'blue sky thinking' or it may have been a serious plan - either way the Leader and the Cabinet Member would have agreed to its inclusion.

Cabinet members are responsible for the papers they present to Cabinet meetings. End of story. If it's good news the politicians take the credit; if it's bad news they should take the blame (the good ones do). It demonstrates a lack of courage and a lack of leadership when a Council administration puts out a defensive press release claiming that it is led by its officers on the difficult issues.

As I said, I'm actually quite angry about this. It's time to shape up and take responsibility.