TORIES ADMIT STUPIDITY

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 13th Aug 2008

the folly of having all one's eggs in one basket

"At a risk of saying I TOLD YOU SO" Dan Daley, Councillor for Maidstone Central today responded to the quite remarkable statements made by Councillor Ferrin (Cabinet Member for Environment & Waste) concerning the repeated breakdowns and operational failures of the Allington Incinerator. Mr Ferrin is quoted as saying what seemed a very wise decision a very long a very long time ago is a very stupid one today.

At the June County Council meeting, Dan Daley questioned Keith Ferrin on the apparent lack of a robust risk assessment and was given a bland reply. Dan stated "It is quite remarkable that no steps have yet been taken to provide proper and adequate facilities elsewhere in Kent and this situation following the recent failures forcefully points up the folly of having all one's eggs in one basket". He continued "I think it is a bit ripe to complain that if he (Keith Ferrin) had known 10 years ago what he knows now he would not have done it, when that was precisely what I and many others indicated to the Conservative Administration in 1998, which they choose to totally ignore!

"Keith Ferrin told me in response to my question in June that he had an excellent contract for the disposal of waste and that he had secured a gate fee which was significantly lower that which would be available elsewhere".