BALI Membership Drive Now On!

Article By Nigel Jarrett
First published in the Bexhill Observer 31st December 2010

MP Signs up as BALI's number one member
A membership drive launched by BALI signed up its first recruit on Friday - local MP and leading supporter Greg Barker.
BALI began as a small action group in 2002 when Ashdown Brickworks in Turkey Road was earmarked by East Sussex County Council as a potential site for the land disposal of waste. Mr Barker, now Minister for Climate Change, was among those who helped found it.
With widespread support, the group has punched above its weight in the fight to prevent Bexhill ending up with its third landfill in 60 years, but with the issue still unresolved, now wants to reorganise as a membership association to give itself more clout.
Nick hollington, BALI chairman for the past five years, said: "Greg has been our foremost supporter and has always done everything we have asked of him, and more.
"He has chaired our public meetings, received us at the House of Commons and spoke at our meeting of key stakeholders in October, giving early details of new government policy.
"on the one hand this will further restrict the use of landfill by emphasising greater recycling and use of alternative waste management technologies, and on the other give local citizens more control over how they shape their area."
Mr Hollington said that having Mr Barker as member number one was a huge boost to BALI's membership campaign, launched at last month's meeting of the Bexhill Town Forum.
He added:"We have an initial target of 1,000 members.
"In this way we can prove to East Sussex County Council, by the strength of our membership, that the people of Bexhill and Rother are dead set against its monstrous proposal."
Anyone living in Bexhill or Rother can jpin BALI, subscription £5 per adult, £3 for students, £10 for companies or affiliated groups.Full details are available on BALI's website: www.nolandfillatbexhill.org.uk.