Kirkby Recycling Group has been going for approx 18 months or so and have a shop unit currently in Kennlewood shopping parade which sells recycled furniture at very cheap prices to local people. The furniture is recycled from a variety of sources, and you could literally furnish a flat by using the shop. They also have there own van which is used to collect unwanted furniture and deliver items sold. You will have seen a white van with a KRG logo on the side if you live here. The KRG are also involved in recycling waste paper from local businesses and organisations etc, plus recycling garden compost. This work is work they have created, it isn't 'substituting' existing jobs - and the actual task of recycling isn't really just a service for the community - it is a vital service which will soon become clear as we head towards a future in which the world's resources become more and more scarce. The days of throwing all your crap in a plastic wheelie bin to be buried in landfills is ending.

Will we see Local Jobs from this scheme?

So far the people who work for the KRG are on the grand total of £6 a day expenses. There are no jobs as yet because they are volunteers and the process of getting funding is holding them back. The KRG has a committee and were looking at some of the volunteers being trained in the various skills needed to run what will hopefully be a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. There is unfortunately a lot of complicated, and perhaps unnecessary paperwork, which needs to be apparently processed in the initial stages of setting up an organisation like this. CBED in Kirkby Unemployed Centre are the organisation which has dealt with the paperwork. This 'dealing with the paperwork' has gone on so long that the KRG are in danger of falling before they have a chance to stand on their own two feet.We will see local jobs IF the scheme is properly funded. Is there enough money to fund it - in short - yes.

Funding Needed ASAP - Funds are there!

Unless funding is given the group will have no choice but to dissolve. Kirkby Times feels that this would be grossly unfair given the massive levels of funding given to other groups which exist. The recent announcement that we are to see extra SRB funding should be taken into account and the KRG given a chance to get this scheme off the ground. Knowsley will receive an extra £2,101419 from the Neighbourhood Renewal fund in 2004/2005 plus another £5,253547 in the year 2005/2006 - This money will be part of the 'Single Regeneration Budget' money (SRB) Why can the KRG not be given a chance to be funded out of this money? Local people will benefit - and as revealed in the Daily Mirror only recently - there is not even a battery recycling plant in the UK to deal with the massive amount of batteries which will need to be recycled - as stated earlier - the business of recycling will increase due to the Euro laws which will dictate the strict procedures due to bought in. Kirkby has so many environmental problems that groups like the KRG and even the Environmental Task team will have to be looked at in a new light. Local people should be the ones running what will be a local service. If the KRG is wound up - it is proof that Kirkby's pen-pushers are losing the plot.

Good luck to all at the KRG - If anyone wants to contribute anything to this concerning development regarding the group - please send in any reports. Kirkby Times has had a good response off people about the group - they have been very very helpful to OAP's and local people in general. To anyone else in SRB funded Jobs - show some support and solidarity with each other. It's about time local people stood with each other instead of fighting. This SRB Money is OURS! Remember that one and look close at what's gone on, Good luck.