Councillor nets You Tube video

2.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 2nd Jun 2008

A Liberal Democrat Councillor has recorded a three minute internet video to open up a serious debate over CDC's new waste service. Cllr Paul Hodgkinson (Churn Valley), Shadow Environment Spokesman on CDC, has posted the video on 'You Tube', the internet site famous for letting people share items for others to watch and comment on (see Home Page, top right).

The home made video highlights the Lib Dems' opposition to the £30 green waste charge and the implanting of microchips in the new grey bins without proper consultation and communication. It also calls for plastics to be recycled on the doorstep. It's believed to be the first time a local Councillor in the Cotswolds has taken a campaign to 'You Tube'.

Launching the video to coincide with National Recycling Week, Cllr Hodgkinson said, "I've decided to make this video to let people hear our message about the accident-prone waste roll out. We have no choice but to go over the heads of the CDC administration as there's been absolutely no opportunity in public to debate what's been going on. The last time we were able to debate the waste roll out in full council was last October and local people are becoming increasingly frustrated at what is going on. Look at how many letters this subject is generating in the local press."

Cllr Hodgkinson believes that using the internet is the way forward for modern campaigning, "If you're not being allowed to discuss a subject openly, you have to reach out and inform people. This video is about engaging with our constituents in a different way and informing them about things the Council doesn't want them to know. A lot of people now use the net as their only source of information. This video will be the first of many we intend to make about local issues."

"You can view the video and comment on it by logging onto www.youtube.com/user/cotswoldslibdems" he added.