Charges on replacing Chichester district bins defended

Proposals to charge householders in the Chichester district when their waste and recycling bins need replacing were strongly defended at a meeting of the district council's cabinet on Tuesday, July 5.

Members unanimously agreed to recommend the council to introduce a new charge of £30 a bin, including delivery.

A 20 per cent discount is being recommended for people on council tax benefit.

A review of the new system is planned in a year’s time.

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Cllr John Connor, cabinet member for the environment, said that when the bins were first introduced, it was decided to provide them free – previously residents had paid for their own.

“Implicit in this agreement was that in time the cost of replacing bins would fall back on householders, as it did before,” he added.

The bins were lasting very well – his own were still the original ones and showed no sign of any deterioration.

The cabinet was told similar bins would cost about £60 in national DIY stores.

The £30 was the cost price to the council.

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In a statement issued after the meeting, Cllr Connor said: “We use good quality wheeled bins that are made to last for years, and so if this proposal is given the go-ahead, the cost to our residents will be minimal.

Many councils with established wheeled bin services currently charged for replacement bins, including locally East Hampshire, Fareham, Havant, Waverley and Winchester.

Cllr Janet Duncton said: “What we have come up with is a pretty fair scheme.”