Tories blasted over "unfunded" proposals for OAP exemption to new brown bin charges

North Tyneside Council's ruling Labour administration critiqued Tory proposals to spare retirees from new charges for garden waste collections as "unfunded".

In June this year, North Tyneside Council's cabinet introduced a £30 charge for brown bin collections between March and November, requiring residents who still want the service to fork out for next year's collection by November 30. However, opposition Tory councillors have called for the payments to be waived for pensioners, in light of the recent scrapping of the winter fuel allowance for millions.

Conservative councillor for Tynemouth, Lewis Bartoli said: "While I recognise the financial considerations I believe we must look at the bigger picture and prioritise our spending to support our most vulnerable residents.

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Coun Bartoli continued: "A £30 charge may seem small to some but for our pensioners, already grappling with the rising cost of living and reduced financial support, it's another strain on their limited income."

Coun Sandra Graham, cabinet member for climate emergency said: "This is exactly been the downfall of the previous Tory government, trying to bring in an unfunded, in-year budget spend. The £30 charge is the lowest of our size local authority neighbours.

"Residents are still able to dispose of garden waste for free at the household water recycling centre. This operates 364 days a year from 8am to 8pm.

"The authority subsidizes home compost bins, residents are able to share subscriptions with family or neighbours if they don't use it much, the 'Neat Streets Scheme' offers council tenants two free of full waste a year and this can be used for garden waste."

Coun Graham went on to say that economic disadvantage is not exclusive to pensioners, with many working families struggling with the cost of living. In addition, the cabinet member stated that an exemption could also benefit some residents in better financial positions than some who would be included.

Coun Graham concluded: "We are not of mind to go down this round as we have budgeted carefully, prudently, and we will continue to keep our charges as low as we possibly can."

Deputy Mayor Carl Johnson also stated that since 2012, £470m had been effectively removed from North Tyneside's grant from central government coffers, tightening local spending.

The former Conservative Mayor of North Tyneside, Linda Arkley proposed a similar scheme in 2021, but this was later scrapped in 2013 after 30,000 households out of 50,000 opted not to pay during the trial period.