A BLAENAU Gwent councillor has quit the Labour party for the second time, citing 'serious concerns' over the council’s new recycling policy Trolibocs.

Councillor Mark Holland, of Six Bells ward, said the election of Jeremy Corbyn as new Labour leader was the 'cherry on top of the cake' and is now acting as an independent councillor.

Cllr Holland was first elected as Labour councillor in 1999 to Cwmtillery ward for nine years. He failed to get re-elected in 2008 and left the party, before rejoining and then being re-elected in 2012.

He said: “l I have had serious concerns regarding the new implementation of the recycling policy and I don’t think it’s been thought through.

“I have expressed my concerns in various committee meetings but I don’t feel the strength and depth of feeling against this policy has been conveyed to the executive.”

But Hedley McCarthy, Labour leader, said: “Mark Holland was part of the joint Labour and Independent scrutiny committee who recommended the recycling policy to the council’s executive committee.

"However it has been an open secret for some time that he has wanted to leave Labour. One must surely conclude that now there is more public interest in the issue Mark has decided to take off and run for cover."

He added: “I think that all parties are content with Mark’s choice and as a former colleague all I can do is wish him well for the future.”

Cllr Holland also cited the policy on grounds maintenance as a reason for his departure. He added he has received support from his constituents following his decision.

A spokesman for Blaenau Gwent’s Labour Party group said: “It is ironic that at a time when the Labour Party are enjoying unprecedented recruitment levels of new members, Mark, who has somewhat of a revolving door history in jumping from party to party, is leaving blaming the election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader.

“It’s anybody’s guess, given his past record, where he will turn up next."