Increased charges for bulky rubbish causes fly-tipping concerns for Fenland

Plans to increase the cost of collecting bulky rubbish items could cause more countryside fly-tipping, councillors have said.

Fenland District Council plans to increase the amount it charges for bulky waste collection from £35 for up to five items to £37.50.

The cost for any additional items is proposed to increase from £7 to £7.50.

The district council collects bulky items like furniture, such as chairs, beds, and cupboards, as well as white goods and other electrical items.

A report presented to councillors at an overview and scrutiny panel on Monday said the increase was proposed to “reflect continued increases in service costs”.

Cllr Dal Roy said he was concerned that higher costs could cause increased fly-tipping.

Echoing these concerns, Cllr Gavin Booth, said: “I have used the bulky waste collection and it has been a good service provided in previous years.

“I think the point is, if we increase (the cost) is it going to increase the prevalence of fly-tipping, which is quite a big issue, particularly in the villages around Wisbech because it seems to be that everyone drives out to the countryside and dumps it. I am forever having to report fly-tipping.”

Cllr Brenda Barber said the proposed cost of the bulky waste collection service was “excellent” compared to what a private company might charge for removal.

Portfolio holder for refuse and cleansing, parks and open spaces, cllr Peter Murphy, said the costs of providing the bulky waste collection service were going up, which was why the authority planned to increase costs for residents.

Cllr Chris Boden, leader of the district council, said setting prices for the bulky waste collection service was a “balance”.

He said that it was “good value compared to the alternatives”, adding that the authority needed to take into account that “costs are always rising”.

Councillors shared concerns that some fly-tipping in the area is caused by people being turned away from household recycling centres.

Cllr Maureen Davis claimed some people were turned away from recycling centres if they were believed to be a business rather than someone trying to drop off the household waste in a van.

Household recycling centres are run by Cambridgeshire County Council and not the district council.

The meeting heard that people need to apply for a permit to take waste to recycling centres in vehicles and trailers over a certain size.

The county council advises on its website that people should check before they visit a household recycling centre whether a permit is needed.

Councillors shared concerns at the meeting about the bureaucracy and suggested that the county council should be asked to review the process.