Claims tip charges 'could be illegal'

Charges for recycling non-household waste at tips across Staffordshire were introduced across the county in November, meaning residents have to pay £3 to recycle a big bag of soil/rubble and a sink or toilet, with plasterboard, tyres and a big bag costing £4.

Labour councillors in the county have been battling the charge since they were introduced and have written to Marcus Jones MP, minister for Local Government to express their concerns.

In his reply, Mr Jones said: "Government has made it clear that DIY waste should be classed as household waste if it results from work a householder would normally carry out, and disposed of at Household Waste Recycling Centres for free.

Staffordshire County Council says it 'believes' the charges are legal.

Darryl Eyers, Staffordshire County Council’s Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “Since 2011 increasing numbers of local authorities across the country have been charging members of the public, who are not traders, to dispose of non-household waste at household waste recycling centres.

“Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 lay out that waste from building and demolition work, including improvements, alterations and repairs, are not classed as household waste and can be charged for.

“We took legal advice before the small charges were introduced and we believe they are legal and reasonable and help us focus our resources where they’re needed most."

In a statement released at the time of the charges being introduced, the council said 'certain waste generated by DIY, home improvements or extensive landscaping of gardens, such as soil and rubble, or sinks and toilets, is not legally regarded as household rubbish and we’ve decided to cover the cost of processing it.”

Councillor Sue Woodward, leader of the Labour Group on Staffordshire County Council, said: “It’s not rocket science – if you introduce a Tip Tax, then fly-tipping will inevitably increase, which is very expensive for the District and Borough Councils to clear – not to mention unsightly and putting local residents’ health and safety at risk.

"It’s shunting costs from one council to the others.

“Today the government have sent a clear message – which backs Labour’s position – that householders should be able to dispose of DIY waste for free.

“I hope Staffordshire County Council immediately suspends the charge, and looks again at the legality of what they are doing.”

Councillor Chris Wood, leader of the Labour Group on Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: "We have received a letter from the Minister in charge that the Tory Tip Tax in Staffordshire is completely at odds with government policy.

“This raises serious questions – the most pertinent being is that this charge could possibly be illegal. I encourage the council to look at this immediately in light of the Minister’s response.

“Labour locally has been fighting this decision for months – to stand up for common sense.”