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# Councillors don’t expect new brown bin charge to spark increase in Lichfield and Burntwood fly-tipping
- URL: https://lichfieldlive.co.uk/councillors-dont-expect-new-brown-bin-charge-to-spark-increase-in-lichfield-and-burntwood-fly-tipping/
- Published: 2017-05-25T07:33:43.000Z
- Updated: 2017-05-25T07:36:29.000Z
- Description: A councillor says he doesn’t expect a new charge on brown bin collections to spark an increase in fly-tipping across Lichfield and Burntwood.
- Author: Lichfield Live
- Tags: Politics, News

A councillor says he doesn’t expect a new charge on brown bin collections to spark an increase in fly-tipping across Lichfield and Burntwood.

Households wanting to have garden waste picked up will need to pay £36 a year from 2018 after proposals were approved by Lichfield District Council last month.

The local authority says a funding gap means [difficult decisions have to be made](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2017/02/28/people-in-lichfield-and-burntwood-could-be-charged-extra-to-have-their-brown-bins-collected/).

However, the move has drawn criticism, with Labour [branding the move “outrageous”](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2017/04/18/labour-group-leader-blasts-outrageous-move-to-give-go-ahead-for-brown-bin-charges-in-lichfield-and-burntwood/).

[![Cllr Iain Eadie](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/iaineadie.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2013/12/12/leader-unveils-new-look-cabinet-at-lichfield-district-council/iaineadie/)

Cllr Iain Eadie

But Cllr Iain Eadie, Cabinet member for operational services, leisure and waste, told a meeting of the council that fly-tipping would not necessarily rise as a result of the charges.

“Other authorities that have introduced charges have seen no increase in the level of fly-tipping as a result,” he said.

“It’s important that we also distinguish between residents dumping rubbish and commercial operators dumping truckloads of waste in a bid to avoid charges.”

But Labour’s Cllr Eric Drinkwater said his Conservative counterparts must be prepared to face the consequences if the decision proves to be the wrong one.

“Lichfield district is a beautiful area,” he said. “I would hate to think the decision will lead to greater fly-tipping.

“If it does then I hope the decision pricks the conscience of those who have supported it.”

Cllr Diane Evans, Labour representative for Boney Hay, said residents would not be convinced by the move.

[![Cllr Diane Evans](https://storage.ghost.io/c/e3/90/e390c3da-0866-4d2a-8ffe-ca4999d7ce1c/content/images/lichfieldlive-co-uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/17759266743_fab708e073_z.jpg)](//lichfieldlive.co.uk/2015/06/25/alrewas-councillor-backs-decision-to-risk-hefty-legal-bill-by-rejecting-new-housing-development/17759266743%5Ffab708e073%5Fz/)

Cllr Diane Evans

“The public has not reacted well to the so-called bin tax,” she said. “There is also a fear that it may lead to increased fly-tipping which is costly to clean up.”

There has also been criticism of the decision to ‘call-in’ the decision for additional scrutiny just before the recent Staffordshire County Council elections, with Labour group leader Cllr Sue Woodward branding the move as “cynical”.

Cllr Woodward added: “Frankly, I was astounded at the decision to call this in – there had already been two reports and members had been given the opportunity to speak out if they were concerned.

“Five of those Conservative members who called the decision in then decided to back it.

“Should such a situation arise in future, members should understand when a call-in is appropriate.”

But Cllr Alan White, Conservative representative for Whittington and Streethay, said councillors were right to examine the charging proposal further.

“As elected councillors we don’t take decisions lightly,” he said. “You care for the people you represent.

“That’s why this was called in for a second look. It shows how important the decision was.”