Call for two free uplifts
The leader of the Labour Group in South Lanarkshire is calling for residents to be given two free special uplifts a year in a bid to tackle the blight of fly-tipping.
Joe Fagan called for an extra uplift at the executive committee during discussions on the council’s charging policy and proposals.
In South Lanarkshire the first uplift is free with any additional being charged at £30, but neighbouring North Lanarkshire Council offer their residents three free special uplifts a year.
While Cllr Fagan put forward an amendment proposing two free uplifts and a consultation into council parking charges, officers said they would have to look at the costs involved in regards to refuse uplifts but said a report could be collated and distributed among group leaders.
And although Council Leader John Ross said he had no specific objections to either of these proposals, he felt they were best dealt with by the community and enterprise resources committee rather than a decision being taken at the executive committee last week.
Cllr Fagan said:“I would be interested to find out how the one free special uplift relates to the council’s performance when it comes to fly-tipping.
“I believe it is something which is under-reported, although I know there is work going on to address it, and it is particularly an issue with flatted and tenement properties.
“I would propose that the council look at two free uplifts instead of one.
“This would be a very modest change but it would go a long way to address fly-tipping.”
Tory Cambuslang West Councillor Ann Le Blond, said:“I believe the problem is the process, not the cost per say. I think the council have to be more pragmatic.
“People might say they have four or five bags but will always try to add an extra one or something on top of what they have said, or it might not be where they said or in the right place and at the moment our guys will just walk away and not take it, maybe this has to change and we just take it and deal with it.”
The paper also put forward plans for a three per cent inflationary increase in council charges to be noted, which will ultimately be decided as part of the upcoming budget.