Changing waste collection policies across the Bradford district would cost taxpayers much more than they have to pay to clean up fly-tipping, Councillors have been told.
During a recent presentation about fly tipping, Councillors asked officers whether policies such as fortnightly general waste collections and requiring permits at tips were adding to the fly-tipping problem.
But officers said ever-tightening budgets in the waste management department meant it was hugely unlikely there would be changes any time soon.
Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee were given the update about fly-tipping in the district at its last meeting.
A report into the issue said fly-tipping levels in Bradford had fallen by 9.5 per cent last year, but 5,186 tonnes of fly tipped waste and litter was still collected in that period.
During the meeting members asked if making it easier for people to dump waste at tips, such as scrapping the requirement for permits, or increasing the amount of bin collections would lead to a reduction in fly-tipping.
Stuart Rosso, Senior Technical Officer, said: “If we were to revise our waste policies, including alternate weekly collections, it would probably add between £6 to 10 million to the Council’s annual waste budget.
“Dealing with fly tipping costs us £200,000 to £300,000 a year, so if we did revise our policy it would cost us far more than it does to deal with fly-tipping.”
He also questioned the idea that Bradford’s streets were free from waste in the years before fortnightly bin collections were introduced.
He told members: “I’ve looked at pictures from 1998/99 and you see black bags everywhere on the streets. It is not as simple as getting rid of this policy (fortnightly collections) and everything will be fine.”
Members were told that Councils had to pay landfill tax for every tonne of waste they send to landfill.
The standard rate for landfill tax is currently £102.10 per tonne, up from £96.60 last year.
The cost of “inert waste” such as sand or concrete is £3.25 per tonne.
Members heard relaxing the permit scheme at tips would likely lead to an increase in the amount of landfill tax paid by taxpayers.
He was also asked about the possibility of increasing the number of Council litter bins in the district.
He said the budget had been “wiped out” by years of austerity, adding: “We have to maintain our existing 3,200 bins with the little budget we have left.”
He added: “If we did increase the amount of litter bins we had, it would mean our staff were spending less time picking litter and more time emptying bins.
“There is a balance – we need to have bins in the places they best get used.”
VIDEO: Huge turnout for 2024 Ilkley Carnival
Greens win Bradford Council seats in Ilkley and Craven
Five Ilkley artists prepare to open their studios
Labour wins North Yorkshire Mayoral election by nearly 15,000 votes
Experience 'Zip The Cow' for Manorlands Hospice!
Kex Gill on course to open by end of June, say council
No Northern train services next Thursday due to strike
Developer's bid to change planning condition on Silsden housing estate raises concerns
Local young dancers chosen for production of Swan Lake
South Craven plans to join East Lancashire schools in new Trust
Council increases library fines for first time in a decade
A-list celebrities support Brownies Bookmark Project
Heat Pump & Solar Panel Open Day in Ilkley on Saturday
Armed Forces Brew Up to take place at Airedale Hospital
Friends of Ilkley Moor announces AGM
Lidl seeks new stores in Ilkley, Skipton and Keighley
Ilkley Civic Society raises concerns over proposals for Changing Places Toilet
Countdown to “spectacular” Mardi-Gras themed Ilkley Carnival begins!
Craven Museum shortlisted for major national award
Tributes paid to 14 year old killed at weekend in Keighley crash
