COUN Andrew Waller falsely claims credit for the 15 per cent recycling figure achieved in 2003/4 and condemns the previous Labour council's record (June 11).

But it was Labour's final January 2003 budget that funded the roll out of doorstep recycling to 83 per cent of York houses and resulted in the excellent 15 per cent figure - the plans were in place well before the Lib Dems were elected.

Furthermore, Labour fought the election on a promise to continue to expand recycling.

While this may sound like a "he said - we said" argument, residents need to be aware of the true facts in relation to the introduction of kerbside recycling.

The people of York are to be congratulated for making the city's recycling scheme a success, and the council should continue to seek opportunities to expand recycling and reduce waste even further.

So it is a real shame that the Lib Dems have voted down Labour's proposal for a pilot scheme to extend the kerbside service to cover green waste - the next key area of recycling we need to address.

Coun David Horton,

Labour's spokesperson for

environment and sustainability,

Top Lane,

Copmanthorpe,

York.

Updated: 09:31 Thursday, June 17, 2004