Can council (legally) charge for bins

Meadows

superscaper wrote: »

I think it depends on the council area you live in.

That's true, where my mother lives she has three wheelie bins. One for general rubbish, one for gargen waste and one for re-cycling.
Where I live this is the only place I have been that doesn't at least provide one black bag a week.

mrcol1000

Meadows wrote: »

You are right there, my council do not provide a bin or bin bags, all they do is collect the rubbish weekly.

The only thing we have been provided with is a green plastic box for fortnightly and re-cycling and a green bag for fortnightly garden waste (once that has worn out you have to buy your own).

Its no different to areas where they don't have wheelie bins and you have to supply your own dustbin to store your rubbish in. Councils supplies wheelie bins to households as its a safer and quicker way to deal with domestic waste. But.... they are under no obligation to supply wheelie bins but all do otherwise it would end in tears.
I think the person the OP spoke to has misunderstood council policy as they will allow black sacks while a new bin is being delivered. The binmen just need to be informed so they know to take them rather than thinking they are side waste (which most council's won't take). As councils have an obligation to collect domestic waste.

The sad truth is with government reducing council funding and council's under pressure to keep council tax increases as well as cost of services going up more and more stuff will be paid for that the councils are not obliged to supply for no charge.

nickine

Thanks for the support with regards to the dress analogy. Don't think that user was quite getting what I was trying to convey.
My point was why should I pay a fee to Shepway for something that I may be eligible for FOC. To say that they will not collect my rubbish unless I have a bin and I need to purchase a bin doesn't seem right. I'm paying council tax (disgusting amounts of it too).

More interstingly I've found the page on Shepways site:

If your wheelie bin goes missing or is damaged on the day of collection, please contact us to receive a free replacement. If your bin goes missing or is stolen on any other day, however, you will need to purchase a replacement.
You will need to purchase a bin if you have moved into a new property and there is not one there already. We will, however, provide you with a recycling box and bag free of charge.

So what sense is there to charge for a bin that disappears on any day other than bin collection day? Why should I be penalised because the previous tenant didn't report the bin as missing. Doesn't seem quite right to me.

elfen

Having lived in the Shepway area, they will charge for whatever they can get away with. And yes, it may have had some difference your sister being on benefits, for, as far as I know, they're paying themselves to do the work IIRC. Also, when I was last there, a bin was £25 not £35, but they only usually charge if you lose a bin. If you live in a household of more than 6 people, they won't usually charge for a bigger bin, but will if you need a second.

I'd still phone them up and see what they say, it's been a few years since I dealt with SDC. Even better, if you can, go to their offices at the Civic Centre in Folkestone and ask them there.

janninew

nickine wrote: »

Thanks for the support with regards to the dress analogy. Don't think that user was quite getting what I was trying to convey.
My point was why should I pay a fee to Shepway for something that I may be eligible for FOC. To say that they will not collect my rubbish unless I have a bin and I need to purchase a bin doesn't seem right. I'm paying council tax (disgusting amounts of it too).

More interstingly I've found the page on Shepways site:
So what sense is there to charge for a bin that disappears on any day other than bin collection day? Why should I be penalised because the previous tenant didn't report the bin as missing. Doesn't seem quite right to me.

That seems a really strange policy!!

Think what i would have done is ask one of the neighbours to call the Council and say their bins gone missing and when the new one comes you get a bin for free!! Maybe i'm a little cheeky though!! I think we all pay enough in Council tax to expect at least a bin and 35.00 sounds quite alot just for a wheelie bin. They must buy them in bulk so probably get them cheaper, wouldn't surprise me if they make money of them though, i know my council would try!

Bellestar_2

Janninew - cunning, very cunning! :T

sarahg1969

superscaper wrote: »

Was going to say the same thing. The shop analogy is false because you are in fact already paying for council services and I'd have thought that includes a standard bin to service your property.

Not only that, but you don't even own the bin. It is the property of the council.

janninew

Bellestar wrote: »

Janninew - cunning, very cunning! :T

Oh yes!! Council get more than enough out of me! I wouldn't be happy paying that much for a bin!

sarahg1969

Our council website says:

"If you have moved into a new property, either an existing property or new-build, there is a charge of £41 for a new wheeled bin with recycling equipment being provided free of charge when you purchase a bin."

But the bins clearly say on them that they are the property of the council. Now, if you see this on their website, and pay them £41 to "purchase" a bin (without seeing said bin, of course), can they then deliver one and purport to retain ownership? I don't see how they can. You have "purchased" the bin in good faith. How can they later change the terms?

superscaper

sarahg1969 wrote: »

Not only that, but you don't even own the bin. It is the property of the council.

Very true thinking about it so even worse that they'd charge you to merely store their property on your land. Our council also warn against doing anything to the bins such as spraypainting them etc. If you want to mark your house number on them you have to use council supplied stickers. Very much a reminder they're not your personal property.