Worries surrounding the rollout of a £40 garden waste permit were aired in the chambers as Renfrewshire councillors butted heads over the scheme.
The ins and outs of the collection system, which will be introduced in July, were included in a report debated by elected members on Wednesday morning.
The change means residents who want their garden waste collected will need a valid permit displayed on their brown bin.
Any bin presented with garden waste inside that does not have one will not be lifted after a “period of education and support”.
There will be no need for a permit for those presenting just food waste in the brown bin – since its uplift is a statutory requirement.
Meanwhile, an exemption on payment will be offered to householders entitled to full council tax reduction or with a severe mental impairment.
Councillor Chris Gilmour, Labour group environment spokesperson, reiterated his view the charge will lead to an “increase in fly-tipping” in the area.
He added at the infrastructure, land and environment policy board: “The conversations we’ve had with residents, they’re saying they’re just going to put it in a different bin or not going to do it all. I really worry about that.”
The report confirmed the local authority intends for the cost of a permit to be £40 per brown bin but Councillor Gilmour initially hoped to see this changed so the fee would be per household and brought forward an amendment.
He pointed out the SNP administration’s finance convener John Shaw stated the scheme would be set at £40 “per household” during the budget meeting in March.
Councillor Gilmour said: “One of your own councillors put it to the budget and you all voted for it ‘per household’...I’d ask you, convener, to reconsider.”
The elected member for Johnstone North and surrounding villages also wanted to see a discounted rate for the first year – since the permit will be valid from April 1 until March 31 going forward.
However, SNP board convener Michelle Campbell said a £40 per household charge could create a scenario in which four households in a mixed tenure would each fork out the full price despite sharing a single brown bin.
She responded: “Looking at the implications now that it can be rolled out, because it was agreed through the budget, that is something that I can’t go behind. This is about payment for a service. The service would be to that one bin.”
Afterwards, Councillor Gilmour said he didn’t want to “cause confusion” and decided to withdraw that part of his amendment – instead focusing on his plea for the first year to be charged on a “pro rata basis”.
However, the policy was agreed as outlined in the report after a vote was held.
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