Bin permit proposal slammed

A FORMER councillor has slammed a proposal to charge residents £25 for a permit to use their brown recycling bin.

John Kellas, who served as Perth and Kinross Council’s convener for enterprise and infrastructure, said he had been “inundated” with phone calls from irate residents since the plan was announced.

The proposal will be discussed by council chiefs on February 15 and is set to start on April 1 if given the green light.

First notifications of the plan have been sent to residents across the region.

Mr Kellas said: “Many people have told me they have no intention of buying this permit and will instead put their garden waste into normal rubbish.

“I feel this is a step too far by the council and the wrong route to go down.”

Councillor Ian James, a Scottish Conservative representative f or t he Strathtay ward, accused Mr Kellas of “mischief-making”.

“Mr Kellas knows full well that he was a leading member of the SNP administration that looked at this charge during the l ast budget,” he said.

“I therefore find it hilarious that he is campaigning against it now that he is no longer an elected representative of the community.”

Councillor Grant Laing, an SNP representative for the same ward, added: “It is a hot topic but we must stress this is a proposal — it has yet to be decided.”