The “very difficult” decision to introduce garden waste collection charges in Angus has paid off in saving 25 frontline jobs, it has been claimed.
Controversial charges brought in by Angus Council to collect garden waste came into force in July.
The £25 annual charge was brought in as part of a major shake-up of recycling services, in a bid to generate hundreds of thousands of pounds for the cash-strapped authority.
The local authority announced the changes to its non-statutory service in the wake of “severe budgetary constraints”.
Communities strategic director Alan McKeown confirmed the move has saved the jobs of 25 binmen following a question from Montrose councillor Bill Duff.
A committee in Forfar had just heard the directorate had a “stunning year” despite financial challenges.
Mr Duff said: “I want to ask specifically about the green bin charge, just to confirm how many jobs we have saved by imposing the £25 charge.”
Mr McKeown replied: “It is estimated that we’ve saved 25 jobs and those are at the lower end, they are our binmen.
“If we had scrapped that charge, 25 people would be out of a job.It’s thanks to the people of Angus who see this as a service they want to opt into.
“It was a tough decision, some still disagree with it, but it was a good decision. Jobs were provided and we’re collecting 90% of the waste we previously collected. It’s a fantastic achievement.”
Charging for the collection of garden waste is common practice in England and Wales but Angus was the first council area in Scotland to adopt this.
Earlier this month the local authority admitted it can not legally stop residents from putting garden waste in their general, purple waste bin.
In May, Angus Council moved to reduce its provision of recycling services to save money.
The centre at Monifieth will close completely, the skips at Forfar and Kirriemuir will be replaced by a new “supersite”, and there will be reduced opening hours at Brechin and Carnoustie.
