OWL press release:

“Rude and Petulant” County Council Leader starts to shift position on waste tips

County Council Leader dispatches resident concerns to the bin, yet hours later starts to shift position on re-opening waste sites

County Council Leader, Geoff Driver has been criticised by an Independent Borough Councillor after he described resident concerns over the closure of household waste sites as a waste of time saying he had“dispatched to the bin” a petition from more than 260 concerned West Lancashire residents.

Ormskirk Councillor Kate Mitchell from Our West Lancashire described Cllr Driver’s outburst as“rude and petulant”.

“As Leader of the County Council, he should reflect on the concerns of local residents who signed this petition and the many others from across Lancashire including our Borough Council Leader, Ian Moran and the other political groups at County Hall.

"His response was a disgrace to democracy.”

However, within hours of the petition being received, LCC shifted their position, issuing a new press statement in which they talked about plans for a re-opening of the waste and recycling sites.

Cllr Mitchell said, “It seems our petition, along with many other voices, has helped to shift the County Council forward. Our petition called for a plan for a controlled re-opening of the sites, and it seems that is now what the County Council are moving towards.

"What a pity that County Councillor Driver has to be so dismissive of the views of Lancashire residents that he binned those concerns immediately upon receipt.”
That e mail:

Cllr Owens,

You wasted your time collecting signatures for your petition which I have just dispatched to the bin.

I have previously explained at length to you why our HWRCs are closed but if you tell me which part of the government instruction “stay at home, except for essential journeys, in order to protect the NHS and save lives”, you do not understand, I will do my best to explain it to you in simple terms.

I know that government is reviewing this matter and if they change the classification of ‘essential journey’ to include a trip to the HWRC, then of course we will reopen them.

In the meantime, Lancashire will abide by government instructions.


I cannot speak for any other local authority so you will have to ask them why they are prepared to encourage their residents to make none essential journeys.

Geoff Driver

Originally Posted by rogerblaxall

OWL press release:

“Rude and Petulant” County Council Leader starts to shift position on waste tips

County Council Leader dispatches resident concerns to the bin, yet hours later starts to shift position on re-opening waste sites

County Council Leader, Geoff Driver has been criticised by an Independent Borough Councillor after he described resident concerns over the closure of household waste sites as a waste of time saying he had“dispatched to the bin” a petition from more than 260 concerned West Lancashire residents.

Ormskirk Councillor Kate Mitchell from Our West Lancashire described Cllr Driver’s outburst as“rude and petulant”.

“As Leader of the County Council, he should reflect on the concerns of local residents who signed this petition and the many others from across Lancashire including our Borough Council Leader, Ian Moran and the other political groups at County Hall.

"His response was a disgrace to democracy.”

However, within hours of the petition being received, LCC shifted their position, issuing a new press statement in which they talked about plans for a re-opening of the waste and recycling sites.

Cllr Mitchell said, “It seems our petition, along with many other voices, has helped to shift the County Council forward. Our petition called for a plan for a controlled re-opening of the sites, and it seems that is now what the County Council are moving towards.

"What a pity that County Councillor Driver has to be so dismissive of the views of Lancashire residents that he binned those concerns immediately upon receipt.”
That e mail:

Cllr Owens,

You wasted your time collecting signatures for your petition which I have just dispatched to the bin.

I have previously explained at length to you why our HWRCs are closed but if you tell me which part of the government instruction “stay at home, except for essential journeys, in order to protect the NHS and save lives”, you do not understand, I will do my best to explain it to you in simple terms.

I know that government is reviewing this matter and if they change the classification of ‘essential journey’ to include a trip to the HWRC, then of course we will reopen them.

In the meantime, Lancashire will abide by government instructions.


I cannot speak for any other local authority so you will have to ask them why they are prepared to encourage their residents to make none essential journeys.

Geoff Driver

He should resign, terrible attitude toward his constituents