This is a case of Rip Off Stirling

Dear Editor

Do I have a choice and, more to the point, do I have a voice?

Stirling Council recently decided to stop the Garden Waste Removal service (GWR) in July 2021 which is, of course, just round the corner.

Over the years I have enjoyed this GWR service as being part of the multitude of services undertaken by the council funded by community charge, introduced back in 1989.

It would appear that the council has decided to remove the service and replace it with a solution that will result in an annual fee. Constituents will be asked to pay for the removal of waste generated from their gardens. The choice is ours, do we take on the burden of paying an additional fee or do we decline? I am tempted to decline but it concerns me as to what my options will be going forward.

■ My garden will continue to generate waste so do I burn it? This will release carbon into the atmosphere – not good. This will release dangerous particles into the atmosphere (burning “wet wood”) – not good. This will generate steam and smoke which may adversely affect neighbouring washing lines – not good.

■ My garden will continue to generate waste so do I take it to the local tip? Five or so heavy duty bags in the back of my car and a 20-mile round trip to the tip. I have a diesel car so that would put additional pollutants into the atmosphere and my car being on the road will add to congestion – not good.

■ My garden will continue to generate waste so do I engage in fly-tipping? No I will not but I worry that others might – not good.

■ My garden will continue to generate waste so maybe I should prevent this. Should I pull down all my hedges and uproot all my trees and turn all my grass to tarmac? This would leave an eyesore and would remove soakaways which could lead to flooding if others did the same – not good and pricy!

So do I have a choice? It seems, since I have a conscience and I watch programmes by David Attenborough, that I will be forced to take on the burden of this unfair additional expenditure.

And what of the proposed charges? Are those in a position of responsibility and trust (who draw a wage from the contributions made by those who pay community charge) really serious in suggesting a charge of £35 each year for each GWR bin that is presented on the kerbside?

Have councillors and officers not heard the term ‘economies of scale’? If they have done their sums diligently and accurately and have decided that £35 per bin is a fair charge then £35 for each additional bin would be pure profit; that is indefensible and totally unjustifiable.

I have often heard the term Rip Off Britain but I fear we are being subjected to Rip Off Stirling.

Do I have a choice? – hopefully there is someone out there who might venture some feasible options. I fear not.

Do I have a voice? Do elected councillors actually give two hoots what constituents think?

Name and address supplied