Norfolk tip charge change decision comes under fire

The Conservative-led council is changing how it charges businesses to get rid of rubbish such as garden waste, rubble, scrap metal, plasterboard and timber at the seven recycling centres which accept it.

The Norwich South Recycling Centre (Image: Mike Page)

At the moment, the council calculates charges per bag.

But from November fees will be calculated according to the size of vehicles and how full they are.

That has led to companies offering services such as gardening, landscaping and house clearances, warning they could go under - or that they will have to pass extra costs on to customers.

Opposition councillors criticised the Conservative administration for making the decision without any input or scrutiny from other councillors.

James Bensly, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for environment and waste (Image: Norfolk Conservatives)

James Bensly, the council's cabinet member for environment and waste, said it was "not a key decision".

He said: "The council provides a trade waste service at only seven of the larger recycling centres.

"This is an optional service, and businesses can choose to take waste to other private contractors or arrange a regular collection.

"Changing the pricing structure ensures that the service covers its costs, which are in line with other services in the county or region.

"Trade waste customers make up a very small proportion of our visitors to the recycling centre service and this operational decision has been taken as part of a regular review of service costs."

Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant) But Steve Morphew, leader of the Labour group at County Hall, has challenged the matter.

He said: "It is clearly controversial, so I was determined it should get a hearing.

Norfolk County Council is changing how it charges for trade waste (Image: Ian Burt)

"This affects seven recycling centres and concerns about flytipping have been expressed, so I think that is enough to make it a key decision.

"It's for them to explain why people shouldn't be concerned about this - and I doubt they'll be able to offer that reassurance."

The council's cross-party scrutiny committee will consider the matter when it meets on Monday.

Next month's changes coincide with a controversial new system where people will have to book timed slots to get rid of waste at the county's recycling centres.