Fly-tipping worry over £33 a year garden waste fee

COLLECTION CHARGE TO BE BROUGHT IN DURING 2017

THE introduction of annual charges of up to £33 for gardeners to have their garden waste collected fortnightly could spark an increase in fly-tipping.

That is the view of community leaders after Gwynedd Council cabinet voted to bring in the charge to make a £750,000 saving in the 2017/18 financial year.

The move will see residents charged £33 a year for collecting their garden waste in a 240 litre-size bin and £28 a year for every additional or smaller 140 litre bin.

Currently, nine Welsh authorities, including Denbighshire, charge for the collection to encourage residents to compost their garden waste.

The charges will be introduced from January 9, 2017.

But county councillor Roy Owen warned the changes could lead to an increase in fly-tipping due to people either struggling to pay the charge or not living near a recycling centre.

Cllr Owen, who has written a letter to the authority asking if they will be picking up the bins of people who don’t want to pay, said: “I’m against this charge.

“I worry that these plans will increase fly-tipping as many people will look to avoid the charge.

“It’s another tax on its way on top of your council tax to take your garden waste away.

“We can’t continue to pass on these cuts to the public as we live in an area of poor paid jobs where there are no large industries and a big need for housing.”

Bangor councillor Nigel Pickavance said people on low wages and benefits would struggle to pay the charge.

He said: “To some people, £33 extra a year may not seem much, but it is for those on low wages and benefits.

“Some people won’t pay these charges and not everyone is lucky enough to be near a recycling plant either.

“So I can see these charges sparking an increase in fly-tipping.”

But Gwynedd Council said it has consulted with other authorities who have already introduced charges for the collection of garden waste and they have not reported any increase in fly-tipping.

A spokesman for the authority added: “The unprecedented cuts in the funding the council receives from central government to deliver local services unfortunately means that we simply have no option but to consider changes to the way some services are delivered so we can continue to prioritise vital services such as social care for older people.

“It is important to remember that those who currently don’t make use of the garden waste collection will not be charged.

“It is also likely that some residents with gardens will choose to compost their own garden waste rather than opting to pay for the council service from January onwards. In addition, residents will be able to dispose of garden waste at any one of the council’s recycling centres.”

Detailed information on the new arrangements will be distributed to Gwynedd households shortly.