Green bin fees protest bags 1,000 names
APETITION to stop plans for a £30 green bin charge in West Lancashire has collected nearly 1,000 signatures, ahead of the decision-making meeting on October 19.
The petition organised by Our West Lancashire was presented to the council this week and has been supported by residents across the area.
The plan to introduce a £30 charge to collect the green garden waste bin in West Lancashire has been met with anger from some people.
Currently, the fortnightly collection is free, paid for through council tax. Last year, the proposal was introduced as part of the 2016/17 budget consultation, but, after fierce debate in the council chamber, the decision was made not to introduce the charge.
Peter Banks, who stood in the local elections for the Independents, is worried that the charge will hit those with lower incomes and may also lead to job losses on refuse teams.
He said: “The council estimates 65% of residents will not take the green bin service if the charge is introduced, so the staff on those collections will find their jobs redundant.”
Cllr Adrian Owens has commented that, due to council underspending last year, the scheme is unnecessary.
He said it was clear from the petition it will not be welcomed warmly by West Lancashire residents.
He said: “The depth of opposition to this proposal was evident from the comments people have made on the online petition and what people told us when we collected signatures on the street. It is an ill-conceived proposal and when the council underspent by more than £600,000 last year it is unnecessary.”
Our West Lancashire treasurer, Ian Davis, said: “I found out that, since Pendle council introduced green bin charges, the amount of waste ending up in their normal waste bins has increased. It’s obvious: some residents will add their garden waste to their normal waste bins if this charge goes ahead.”
A report to councillors earlier this year said: “The council is still facing a very difficult mediumterm financial position.
“This means that proposals that will have an impact on our services to residents will need to be considered and difficult choices made.”
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