Burnham-On-Sea’s MP has hit out at a county councillor in a row over the cost of cleaning up fly-tipped rubbish in Somerset.

Tessa Munt has responded to Burnham Conservative County Councillor Peter Burridge-Clayton’s call for her to apologise after what he claims was a “wildly inaccurate” statement in the House of Commons regarding the cost of fly-tipping.

Clearing up fly-tipped rubbish has cost Somerset taxpayers more than £300,000 over the past year, the MP said during a debate before Christmas. However, Cllr Peter Burridge-Clayton claims the real cost is far lower.

But in responding to the allegations that the additional costs were unfounded, Tessa told Burnham-On-Sea.com on Wednesday: “The costs to taxpayers of £303,616 quoted by me were given by a Minister at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).”

“In their allegations that Defra’s figures are “wildly inaccurate”, the Conservatives then refer to their own “estimates”, relying on data which they themselves say is based on “average costs.”

“The Conservative administration at County Hall is unable to tell us with any precision the amount that taxpayers are having to fork out for their policy.”

“However, they do admit that the number of fly-tipping incidents in Somerset rose – by a staggering 65% rise in 2011/2012 – when nationally there has been a 9% drop, and that there are additional costs as a result of their policy.”

“These are a direct consequence of the short-sighted cuts, and charges at our re-cycling depots made by the Conservative-run Somerset County Council.”

“Cllr Burridge-Clayton and the rest of his County Council colleagues should get their figures straight before demanding an apology!”

Responding to the latest comments, Cllr Burridge-Clayton said: “I am afraid Ms Munt has missed the point about using national averages rather than speaking to Somerset Waste Partnership directly, and I am unsure if she fully understands how the partnership operates so I will ask the County Council to communicate with her so she is fully informed in future. I am disappointed she did not simply apologise.”

 
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