Deeply unpopular brown bin charge and recycling trolley service to be reviewed by East Ayrshire Council

dailyrecord.co.uk:

East Ayrshire Council has agreed to undertake a review of the brown bin charge and recycling trolley service.Labour group leader councillor Maureen McKay said that she wanted to provide an opportunity to support people who find it difficult to access recycling centres.Cllr McKay said: “Failure to do this has resulted in a tired appearance that does not match our aspiration for East Ayrshire.“Linked to this is our proposal for full review of all aspects brown bin calendar and charge and the recycling in light of the planned introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme in August 2023.”The Labour group had made removing the charge part of their election manifesto in 2022.

The bin charge, introduced in 2021, was expected to bring in upwards of £750k in council income – one of the main factors that will be required to be taken account of during the review.The number of councils introducing brown bin charges has been increasing year by year, with many considering bringing them in during this round of budget setting.Current rates range from Falkirk Council, who charge £25 annually per bin, up to £50 recently introduced by Glasgow City Council.East Ayrshire Council’s £30 charge is the second lowest among those authorities who do charge.

Around a dozen councils currently do not charge, although one, South Lanarkshire, suspended the free collection while determining whether it is financially viable.The brown bin review will cost a further £20,000. Read next: Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here