‘Elderly being penalised by rubble charge’
ELDERLY residents are being penalised by the council’s new rubble charge, a councillor has claimed.
Councillor Mick Warren (Ind) told Tuesday’s meeting of Cheshire East cabinet he had received several complaints from residents about the new £3.50 fee introduced in January to dispose of waste created from home improvements, repairs and alterations.
He says that the charge of £3.50 a bag is unfair as pensioners can’t lift 20kg bags, and are having to spread the weight over several bags meaning they are charged more.
At the meeting, he asked Coun Don Stock- ton, the cabinet member responsible, what advertising was done prior to the charge being introduced.
And he added: “Does he agree the decision to charge residents by bag, rather than by weight, disadvantages many residents, such as the elderly or less physical, who are not able to carry 20kg bags and decide to use three or four for the same weight and as a result are paying three or four times more for the same weight and volume.”
Coun Stockton said the matter had gone through scrutiny committee and public consultation.
He said: “Indeed, 55 per cent of respondents to the consultation agreed to the introduction of this charge while some 31pc objected.”
With regard to elderly people being charged more because they may have to use more bags, as they may be unable to carry the maximum 20kg weight per bag, Coun Stockton said: “What size bag you carry them in is entirely down to the individual, and hopefully they would carry them in appropriate size bags.”
Council leader Rachel Bailey asked Coun Warren to let the council know if he knew of anyone affected by the particular hardship he had raised.
Payment of the new charge - which applies to tips across Cheshire East, has to be made by credit or debit card while the resident is on site and before the waste is disposed of. Cash and cheques will not be accepted.
According to the council’s website, if payment cannot be made before the waste is deposited, residents will be unable to use the services and will be asked to leave the site.
Reports on social media say this had led to queues at a recycling centre in Crewe.