‘Barmy’ PC rules will lead to £20 green bin costs

North Somerset Council is planning to introduce green bins as part of a revamp of its recycling programme, in a move which will replace the current bags.

Bins ranging in size from 120 litres to 240 litres will be available, and people can buy as many as they wish at a maximum of £20 each – not £50, as incorrectly reported in some newspapers.

Peter Bryant, who is the executive member whose responsiblities include waste, told other councillors this week the change is needed on safety grounds.

He said: “Unfortunately the politically correct country we’ve become dictates to a large extent the many things we individually consider ‘barmy’.

“The green bags that have been so successful and appreciated by residents are unfortunately considered a health hazard in that operatives have to lift them above waist height to empty its contents bag by bag and the weight of individual bags can vary so very much.

“We are also concerned that at times of high winds empty bags can become a hazard to motorists, indeed it can be considered an accident waiting to happen.

“It is with regret that the authority has to charge for the bins but the maximum cost should each householder in North Somerset require one would be £1.8million, a sum of money we couldn’t possibly fund.

“It may interest you to know the other authorities in the West of England partnership charge for collecting green waste, a course of action that is deemed detrimental to the residents to whom we are all accountable.”

However, independent councillor Donald Davies says people in his ward have criticised the new scheme, condemning the £20 fee as ‘too expensive, especially given all the cuts to services when council tax hasn’t gone down’, criticised the lack of consultation and warn ‘people will not pay, and fly-tip instead’.

Cllr Davies said: “I shan’t be supporting this proposal as it stands; I would imagine a lot of our residents would be very unhappy if we did.”