The Leicestershire-based authority – which serves around 166,000 residents – currently offers three free bulky waste collections each year and a £15 per collection charge after exceeding that amount.
A report to the council’s cabinet has now however recommended that the council introduce a £20.00 charge per collection (up to 3 items) of household bulky waste with effect from October 2019.
The report explained that the current service costs around £105,000 per year to operate, while introducing the charge is expected to generate around £60,000 a year.
And, it was said that the charge will also ensure that the total number of requests from residents remains within the contract agreed figures with its contractor Serco, and will ensure the Charnwood council aren’t hit with increased payments.
Under the current system, customers can book free bulky collections either by calling the council’s Contact Centre, or via the internet. However, the report stated that the online booking system “does not manage the number of collections effectively and the chargeable element of the service is frequently not collected.” While the exact amount “cannot me quantified”, it’s expected to be around £5,000 a year.
Commenting on the proposals, Cllr Leigh Harper-Davies, lead member for contracts at the Council, said that cuts in funding from central government has forced the cabinet’s hand.
“We have to be realistic about funding services for residents. Bulky waste collections are not something the authority has to provide but we know residents value the service. That’s why, as local government funding becomes more difficult, we must look at alternative ways of paying for services like this,” she explained.
Cllr Harper Davies added: “Nearly every other authority in the country charges for bulky waste collections and to ensure we can keep delivering a high-quality service we feel the time is right to introduce a reasonable charge.
“The proposed charge would help cover the costs of the service and would still be cheaper than some other authorities in the area.”
The Council’s cabinet will consider the proposal at a meeting next Thursday, July 4.
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