The Conservative-controlled authority rolled out charges for waste in 2016 (see letsrecycle.com story), citing central government budget cuts. Residents are charged £50+VAT for a “loose” car load with around two bags of mixed DIY waste. Other bags of items such as plasterboard are charged at between £4-£5.
In June however, the government announced that it will ban the chargers in the Autumn (see letsrecycle.com story), after 90% of respondents to the consultation backed the move.
Now, the council has said it will lift its charges in line with the proposed policy change announced by the government.
Thresholds
From Friday this week ( 1 September) up to two 50-litre rubble bags or one large item no larger than 2m x 0.75m x 0.7m per household will be accepted for free, at a maximum frequency of four visits over four weeks. Anything in excess of this will be chargeable at current rates.
DIY waste can be accepted at nine of the 15 community recycling centres and access to the rubble and plasterboard containers “will continue to be controlled and monitored”.
Surrey added that a new monitoring system will be introduced using the automatic number plate recognition system to monitor usage.
‘Unclear’
Surrey is the amongst the first councils to remove the charges following the announcement in June.
Several other councils reacted furiously to the move, questioning where the additional budget will come from to dispose of the material. The government has yet to be specific with its timelines.
Natalie Bramhall, cabinet member for property and waste said whilst the council is “still unclear” on when the government proposes to implement this law, it took the move to “make the system as simple as possible for our residents, while protecting our sites from commercial operators taking advantage of a tax-payer funded service.”
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