'No' to paying for waste in West Norfolk
LOCAL councils have turned their backs on a controversial pilot scheme which could see householders charged for the amount of waste they throw away.
Under changes to the draft Climate Change Bill, published earlier this week, local authorities may have the power to push ahead with new "pay-as-you-throw" schemes, which could see householders paying penalties for binning too much waste while being rewarded for throwing out less.
But the idea of using microchips to monitor waste levels in our bins has been met with a distinctly negative response from local councils.
West Norfolk Council cabinet member for environment Cllr Brian Long said: "Our manifesto prior to the elections in May was under no circumstances would we accept chips in bins or pay-by-weight within the borough.
"I do not think it would be right for the people of West Norfolk to be guinea pigs for a Government scheme which is far from satisfactory in design.
"People may try to put their waste in other bins, or worse, start fly-tipping. As soon as people see it will cost money, it will encourage bad behaviour."
A similar response came from North Norfolk Council.
A spokesman for the authority said: "We are still waiting for much more information about what the scheme might be. There has been some confusion over what Defra was saying in the first place, they are now talking about pilot schemes, but we would be unlikely to get involved.
"We are always interested in ideas which increase recycling and decrease the waste to be disposed of. We want to do that in a sensible way that will not penalise residents and communities as a whole.
"We would need to be very clear about what the scheme might be before we consider it, but we have no plans to get involved."
Breckland Council has also said its bins have not been fitted with microchips and there are no plans to introduce them.
But South Holland Council believes the scheme could have some benefits.
Leader Cllr Gary Porter said: "Councils having the power to introduce pay-to-throw is good providing the Government does not make it a duty.
"I could only envisage at this time South Holland using this power as a punitive measure against those selfish, lazy people who refuse to recycle when they have the facility to do so.
"If ever this was to be brought in it is such an important strategic measure that it would be approved by full council."
richard.long@lynnnews.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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