THREE councillors from the three main political parties represented on Monmouthshire County Council failed in their attempt to overturn a Monmouthshire County Council cabinet decision on recycling.

Following a recent review of waste and recycling in the county, and a decision to introduce fortnightly rubbish collections, councillors Christine Walby, Val Smith and Jacqui Sullivan took a stand against the decision and asked for it to be called in for further consideration by the council's strong communities select committee.

They claimed that the decision is not in the best interests of council tax payers or of the environment.

Councillor Walby said, "We wanted the cabinet to reconsider because it is obvious that the decision does not represent best practice in the handling of waste and recycling and we are convinced that it will not lead to best value for already overstretched council finances.

"We are also clear that this is not a party political issue it is an issue which demands common sense and a clear focus on what is important, both now and for the future of the environment.

"This is not only good for the environment it will enhance the value of material for recycling. Currently the quality of material for recycling is significantly reduced because much of it is contaminated."

On Wednesday afternoon Councillor Walby told the Chronicle that the call in had been lost on 'what amounted to a technicality'.

"Unfortunately the Lib Dem change of representative to Councillor Sullivan was submitted too late apparently meaning that she was unable to vote - if she had we would have won outright," said Councillor Walby.

"As it was the vote was even and it went to the casting vote of the Chair (a Conservative)," she said,

" Interestingly there has been some debate over the years regarding whether the controlling group should also have the chairs of select committees and this is a case in point because inevitably they are likely to support the cabinet," added Councillor Walby