January 23, 2020 12.00 pm This story is over 50 months old

Boston councillors scrap replacement bin charges

The charges had caused “intense” debate since they were cracked down on
Boston Borough Council offices in West Street.

Boston councillors have ended an “intense” row over replacement bin charges.

Senior members agreed that bins damaged through no fault of the owners would be replaced free of charge.

Councillor Yvonne Steven’s portfolio holder for environment at the council, told cabinet members:  “Replacement domestic wheelie bin charges have been a topic of intense debate for many months now.

“I’m confident we have a compromise that will satisfy all sides in this debate.”

The row saw councillors call for a £25 charge on replacement bins to be scrapped.

The authority clamped down on costs after it was revealed that it only recouped £58,000 on replacement bins since 2013when the fees were brought in.

Councillors warned the charge would “hit the poorest hardest”.

Figures previously revealed the council had spent £162,000 on new green and blue bins since 2013, but had only recouped £58,000 – leaving a £104,000 gap.

Officials said a “significant proportion” of the money was down to replacing bins damaged by its own workforce.

Councillors were told that since the fees were introduced the replacement bin charge “had not been consistently or robustly applied”.

As a result, bosses began a crackdown on inconsistent charges for bins in April 2019 but were met with confusion and anger from residents.

SUBSCRIBE TO LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEKLY, our exclusive email newsletter with highlights from coverage every week, as well as insights and analysis from our local democracy reporters.