Liberal Democrats will next week formally call on Labour to rule out charging for green bin waste collections after over 1,000 residents came out against the plans.
In July it was revealed that Labour run City of York Council was considering introducing a “subscription-based service” and seasonal garden waste collections in a bid to make budget savings. After the resignation of Cllr Sandy Fraser, then Cabinet Member for Environment Services, Labour’s plans were delayed with public consultation now not due to begin until next year.
However, at next week’s Full Council meeting the Liberal Democrats will call on Labour’s new Cabinet Member, Cllr David Levene, to abandon the plans. The Lib Dem petition against charging has already been signed by 1,173 residents. The Group has also raised concerns that charging will lead to a fall in recycling and a rise in landfill tax for the council. Last month, it was revealed that due to missed recycling targets, the Council will pay £3.3 million in landfill tax this year, an increase of nearly £400,000 on last year. A fall in green waste recycling would make the problem worse.
Councillor Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environmental Services, commented:
“After months of uncertainty we are calling on Labour to formally abandon the plans to charge for the green bin service. The response from the public has been overwhelming this summer with 1,173 residents so far having signed a petition against the plans. Residents are angry that this frontline service is under threat and they see that this is just another way of getting money out of people for a service that is not changing or improving.
“Without public support these plans are unworkable and could lead to the situation that Labour had in Newcastle, where they introduced charging and over 40,000 residents returned their bins. A similar reaction in York would have a huge impact on recycling rates and could lead to a further rise in the landfill tax the Council is paying. Already, after the closure of the Beckfield Lane site, landfill tax is set to rise by £400,000 this year. A fall in garden waste being recycled will make the problem worse and is likely to cancel out any money raised through charging.
“It is time for Labour to cut their losses and stop spending any more money preparing these unpopular and ill-thought through proposals.”
NB Councillor Ann Reid will ask the Labour Cabinet Member for Environmental Services the following question at next Thursday’s Full Council meeting: “Given the delays in consultation, the threat of a rise in landfill tax charge, and the public opposition, will the Cabinet Member formally rule out introducing charging for the green bin service?”
1173 residents have so far signed a petition against Labour’s plans to introduce charging for green bins.