Renfrewshire councillors hit out at garden waste permit

The scheme, which formed part of the SNP administration’s budget in March, is set to be introduced on Monday, July 10, but households can apply now.

The change – which will operate as a £40 charge per brown bin – means residents who want their garden waste collected will need to display a valid permit.

Councillor Neill Graham, leader of Renfrewshire's Conservative group, said many of his constituents are "understandably angry" at the new fee.

He said: "With council tax already going up by six per cent, further charges are the last thing local residents need during a cost-of-living crisis.

Neill Graham (Image: Renfrewshire Council)

"It will be even worse for residents who have two brown bins, meaning they are facing a double whammy.

"I know from the correspondence I have received that many people have been caught out by these charges, which will come into force in a matter of days."

Councillor James MacLaren, who represents Bridge of Weir, Bishopton and Langbank, said residents in Renfrewshire are being asked to pay more to get less in terms of services.

The Tory politician added: "I know from my own ward that missed bin collections happen all too often, so I have very little confidence that this is going to improve just by hitting residents with this £40 permit.

"We also have huge issues surrounding fly-tipping in the region and I have serious concerns that we’ll see a significant increase in these sorts of incidents occurring as many people simply won’t shell out for these permits.

"Our council is cash-strapped, thanks to the SNP's savage cuts year on year, but imposing this garden tax is completely the wrong way to go about trying to boost their finances."

A Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "As garden waste is not a statutory service, a permit has been introduced to ensure we can continue to offer a collection to those who wish to receive one - with not all councils providing one. The charge brings us in line with two-thirds of councils who do.

"The permit runs in line with the financial year from April to March, in keeping with the decision made at the council's budget meeting in March, and residents have had a continuous uplift of their garden waste throughout the financial year, with the cost of the permit also supporting the introduction, implementation and administration of the process.

"There are also exemptions for those on full (100%) or severe mental impairment council tax reduction to ensure they can access this service without cost.

"We continue to collect 99.8% of all bins first time and other local authorities have advised that they have not seen an increase in fly-tipping following the introduction of a garden waste permit."