Sir, The city council agreed in April, under the minority Labour administration, to proceed with a full recycling scheme including plastics and cardboard. It also agreed the budget to fund the scheme. We have agreed ambitious targets to achieve one of the best recycling rates in the country. Extensive consultation has been undertaken through the area committees, residents' associations, through the website and e-mail. The details of the scheme were scheduled to be finalised in the light of the outcome of the consultation exercise in June, and rolled out from October.

It is sadly typical of the Liberal Democrats that their first 'pledge', even before forming a minority administration, is to try to overturn the clear majority view of the council and call into question the expansion of recycling. Labour won more seats than the Liberals in the elections with a manifesto commitment to the full scheme; the Greens are also committed to it.

The people of the city have expressed a strong preference through the ballot box for an early expansion of recycling to include plastics, cardboard and green waste. To attempt to introduce a green waste scheme in isolation will be more complicated and increase costs. We are familiar with the Liberals' cavalier approach to budgeting, but luckily any changes to the policy framework or budget now have to come to the full council where there is a majority for radical change, not for delay and half-measures. Labour will be seeking to implement the plans agreed in April and already advertised widely throughout the city.

Bob Price, Leader, Oxford City Council Labour Group