Free bulky waste collection could cut fly-tipping - councillor

People living in the East Riding must pay to have bulky items collected from their homes

Offering households one free bulky waste collection a year could help stop fly-tipping, a councillor has said.

David Nolan, of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said introducing the service would save people money and benefit the environment.

The Lib Dem councillor said the move would also bring the council in line with neighbouring local authorities.

Conservative Leo Hammond, however, said people already received free bin collections and access to tips.

In Hull, all households are entitled to one free collection of up to five items a year, with charges of at least £29 for subsequent ones, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

However, the East Riding charges £37 for one to five items and £74 for six to 10.

Mr Nolan said the East Riding charge was also higher than under York City Council and North East Lincolnshire Council.

The Hessle ward member said: "Residents in Hessle have asked why their neighbours, who are sometimes in the adjoining streets, get one free bulky waste collection and they don't.

"At the time of a cost of living crisis I think the council needs to stop being stingy and level up our residents instead of penalising them.

"The lack of a free collection create the temptation for fly-tipping of bulky items, particularly in 10 foots."

Liberal Democrat councillor David Nolan said offering one free bulky waste collection a year would help stop fly-tipping

Planning portfolio holder Mr Hammond said customer satisfaction with the authority's waste collection service was very positive already.

"When we're talking about waste, we can't talk about each issue in isolation," he said.

"The charge for bulky waste collections covers the cost of the service.

"If we're talking about comparing ourselves to other authorities, the council, I think, is very good at providing a fantastic waste collection service.

"We provide free wheelie bins and for blue and brown ones we provide a full bin and not just a box like some other councils do.

"We don't charge for our household waste and recycling centres.

"All but one of our neighbouring authorities is not a large rural authority like us."

Following the discussion councillors voted to refer the subject of household waste to the East Riding's Environment and Regeneration Sub-Committee.