Published on:
16
January 2020
A report to Council has provided an update on the progress made towards the introduction of a charge for collection of domestic garden waste from March 2020.
As part of the budget savings process in March last year, it was agreed that rather than stop the service a charge would be introduced for the collection of garden waste from the new season collection service beginning March 2020. Council has agreed that the initial permit charge will be £36.
Following consultation in line with the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, the cost of permits for Council tenants who currently have a brown bin or wish to have one is being covered by the Housing Revenue Account which is supported by tenant rent payments. Council tenants who do not wish to participate and have no obligation to maintain greenspace can request not to receive a permit and request to have their brown bin removed if they do not want to retain it.
Letters will be sent to all households in Clackmannanshire over the next few weeks with detailed information about how to register for the service, how to make payment, and how they can arrange for bins to be removed if they do not wish to retain their brown bin.
Householders will be encouraged to register online wherever possible and staff at Council offices will be able to assist householders who do not have internet access at home. Payment can be made via the secure website using a debit or credit card, over the phone or in person at Council offices.
Householders who do not sign up for the scheme will be encouraged to dispose of garden waste free of charge at Forthbank Recycling Centre, and information will also be provided on the Council website to encourage home composting.
The collection of garden waste is not a statutory service that the Council has to provide to householders, and local authorities can levy a charge for the collection of certain types of household waste, including garden waste. The permit system has been introduced to help deliver and retain a sustainable garden waste service.
A number of Scottish councils including Perth & Kinross, Angus, Moray and Highland have already introduced a charge, with a number of other authorities also planning to do so.
Cllr Donald Balsillie, Interim Convener of Place Committee said: “Plans are well developed to introduce the new permit scheme for garden waste from March 2020. I have been assured all households will be receiving full information to help them take part if they wish or to make other arrangements. A new system is always a challenge, however there will be lots of information available and a variety of ways to register for the service.
“I would like to encourage residents to participate and I thank them for their continued support in recycling and composting. Only together can we meet climate change objectives to improve recycling and stop landfill, whilst aiming to retain our position as one of the top recycling authorities in Scotland.”