Local News 
Hiding the facts on Waste and Recycling [July 12th 2005]
Once again, the Tory group on Hertsmere council cannot seem to grasp the concept of open, honest debate.
A MORI study using the Hertsmere panel was conducted earlier this year focusing on Waste and Recycling. The point of these studies is to inform everyone on the effectiveness of the council's delivery of services.
At the Council meeting on the 15th June this year, Conservative Councillor Graham quoted figures from this unpublished report during a debate on recycling. On being challenged by the Labour Group Councillor Graham has offered his unreserved apology for this abuse of privilege.
Now only three weeks later the Portfolio holder for Waste and Recycling, Conservative Councillor Bright, publicly quotes from the same, still unpublished, report in a press release. More worryingly, this press release comes from the Communications Department of Hertsmere Borough Council. Councillor Bright is also the portfolio holder for Communications, responsible for the Communications Department of the council.
Councillor Bright has rushed out a public statement prior to publication of the MORI survey because he is trying to take the focus away from this council's appalling record on waste and recycling. He is trying to defend the indefensible, cherry picking from the report before anyone else can check the details.
To use this data publicly before it is available to the public and his fellow councillors is a gross abuse of executive power. From these actions Councillor Bright shows the contempt he must hold for his fellow councillors and the residents of Hertsmere.
As Councillor Bright has shown a very limited understanding of his responsibilities he should resign immediately from his positions as Portfolio holder on Waste and Communications.
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