Councillors from the new Independents for B&NES movement have strongly criticised council plans this week that will have a detrimental impact on businesses in the centre of Bath.
In a move that that has been ferociously criticised by city centre businesses and waste collection contractors, from this September any business in the centre of Bath will only be able to have their waste collected between the hours of 6pm – 8.30pm.
Despite costing the council more and businesses being strongly opposed to it, the changes are expected to cost each local business an extra £3,000 per year.
Cllr Gavin Heathcote (Independent, Peasedown) is a member of the Independents for B&NES Group on the council. He said:
“You just couldn’t make it up! At a time when businesses are struggling to pay their bills and keep their doors open, Lib Dem run B&NES Council now plans to change their waste collection times that will cost businesses and the taxpayer even more.”
From this September, all local businesses in the centre of Bath will only be able to have their waste collected between the hours of 6pm – 8.30pm, a change from the current 5pm – 8.45pm window. This means that all businesses will have to pay a member of staff to stay on in the workplace to oversee the waste collection.
In a survey carried out earlier this year by the council, almost 100 city centre businesses sent in their feedback on the time change. Of those that responded:
– 93% of respondents did not support the new collection time
– Businesses said that that paying staff for an extra hour per day could cost around £3,000 extra per year.
Cllr Chris Warren (Independent, Saltford) added:
“B&NES Council seems determined to make life as difficult as possible for local businesses and anyone who runs or works for one.
Despite an incredible 93% of respondents to a council run survey saying they did not support the changes to waste collection times, the local authority seems determined to press ahead anyway, regardless”
The 5 waste collection contractors who responded to the survey cited concerns around efficiency, cost, and environmental impact. Grist and MJ Church both indicated that they would be forced to increase the number of vehicles required to collect within the 2-hour window to be able to service all customers. This could raise carbon emissions due to more journeys made to/from Bath.
The changes will also have an impact on the council’s budget too. The cost of employing an additional Enforcement Officer on a 12-month basis is £48,400.
Cllr Karen Walker (Independent, Peasedown) is Group Leader for the Independents for B&NES. She said:
“On balance, the consultation has shown that small businesses could be
detrimentally affected by a change in permitted collection times during a period of economic challenge. There is also a risk that this change in policy could undermine the progress made in improving the public realm in recent years, particularly if it results in business waste bags being left unattended for extended periods.
Despite these waste collection changes being hugely unpopular with almost every local business, and B&NES taxpayers having to foot the bill for an extra waste enforcement officer – The Lib Dem leadership at the council is adamant that these changes need to happen.”
To read the full report, which includes an analysis of the negative impact the new waste collection changes will have on Bath city centre businesses, visit: https://democracy.bathnes.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?Id=2245
Why didn’t anyone from the Independents for B&NES party attend the call-in and support the business community? Cllr Karen Walker did not send a replacement for her absence.