CAMPAIGN WINS THE BATTLE OF THE BINS
Autumn 2007
Campaigners in East Dunbartonshire have hailed the forthcoming return of
weekly refuse collections as "absolutely sensational".
The result is a huge victory for Ross Wilson PR which was tasked with
running an intense PR offensive and mobilising public opinion to win the
return of weekly refuse collections for 100,000 people.
Commenting on the decision by East Dunbartonshire Council to scrap
fortnightly bin collections, Ross Wilson said: "This is a historic victory
for democracy, for an entire community and for common sense."
"What this sensational triumph represents is the succes of a suburban revolt
over the bins which has demolished a Liberal Democrat council and replaced
it with one which has fulfilled its promise to listen to the public. We are
delighted that one of the first decisions of the newly-elected
Labour-Conservative local authority has been to bring back the bins.
"It is a triumph for people power and a sharp reminder to councillors
everywhere that voters will not be ignored on the delivery of vital public
services."
Weekly refuse collections will return on December 3 2007 and follows a
year-long media blitz against the now-defeated Liberal Democrat-run council.
Voters threw out three quarters of the East Dunbartonshire Liberal
councillors at the Scottish local government election on May 3 with the
number of Lib Dem seats falling from 12 to just 3.
Crucial to the success of the PR campaign was ensuring constant media
interest in the issue which unbdoubtedly helped persuade voters to punish
the Liberals and vote for other parties which had pledged to restore the
public's refuse collection.
Several major newspapers covered the story closely over many months
including the Daily Express, Evening Times, The Scotsman, Scotland on
Sunday, The Herald in addition to STV and the BBC.
You can read
the Daily Mail's most recent coverage by clicking on the image above. The press cutting is reproduced by
kind permission of the Daily Mail.
ends.
