Scrutiny challenge to charities recycling charge

The decision by Wiltshire Conservatives to charge charities for using the Household Recycling Centres was 'called in' by Independent councillor Chris Caswill, with the backing of a dozen other opposition councillors.

A special meeting of the Scrutiny Committee was called for June 21st to consider the call-in.

To justify a call-in it has to be demonstrated that the council is not sticking to its own principles in making the decision. There's a list of the relevant principles and Cllr Caswill's explanation of why they've not been followed in the agenda papers here.

He goes on to say, "I wrote to the Cabinet Member to express my concerns on 31 May. I pointed out that the Voluntary Sector already suffered grant reductions and this was a further penalty, the decision was contrary to the principles of working in partnership, and that it did not promote environmental and social wellbeing, and would also have perverse side effects, such as discouraging recycling and taking second hand goods to voluntary organisations.

It is not to enough to say that 'It became clear that' Voluntary Sector use was 'one of the causes' of HRC queues. No detailed evidence is provided for this claim and the Council's own policy of reduced HRC hours is more likely to be the main cause. This decision should be withdrawn and other options considered to achieve the budgeted saving."

The call-in was defeated (by 7 votes to 6) as the Scrutiny Committee has a Conservative majority.