Castle Point looks set to join a number of other councils across Essex to campaign against the burning incinerator issue.

Councillors at tonight's environmental health committee are expected to agree to sign up to the Essex Waste Consortium of District Councils.

The group was set up last year to fight county council proposals for the waste plan, which will lead to incinerators being built in Essex.

Castle Point will be the 11th local council to join the consortium, which is producing an alternative waste plan with more recycling and no incineration. This will leave only Maldon to join.

It could cost the council around £6,000 to join the consortium and an extra £2,500 for a waste analysis to be carried out.

Chairman of the environmental health committee, Coun Joe Cooke, said: "The only reason we have not already joined up is cash. It was difficult for us to see the financial worth at first, but as time's gone by we have seen it will benefit us.

"Members of the consortium came along and spoke to us about the plan and, having listened to the experts, it is clear that together we can work better.

"We have put the cash aside from the recycling scheme, but we have to be careful as we are dealing with public money."

The Green Party has launched a petition to be presented to the Government before a public inquiry into the Essex Waste Plan is opened in November.

The meeting will be held at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley at 7.30pm.

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