New bin times 'could cost businesses thousands'

Councillors have questioned why a change to bin collections, which could cost businesses thousands, was not scrutinised before a decision was made.

In July, Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) cabinet member Mark Elliott signed off changes to the rules around the city centre evening business waste collection.

As a result, the time shops are allowed to put their bins was moved to 18:00 BST, even though some businesses close at 17:00 BST.

According to the council's own analysis, these businesses could now have to spend £3,089 a year in additional wages for someone to stick around to put the bins out.

Charlie Dalton-Ball of family-run jewellers S. P. Green & Co in Bath, had warned the committee: "On paper this might seem achievable, but in reality it is entirely unworkable.

"Our business is staffed from 10:00 BST until 17:30 BST which means there is now no legal window for us to place out our waste while the business is staffed."

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he believed the decision was "undemocratic".

At a council meeting on 29 July, which was the first time the decision had been discussed in front of a scrutiny panel, Midsomer Norton North, Independent councillor Shaun Hughes said: "This, I don't feel, has had the right level of scrutiny."

Mr Elliott said he had only been responsible for the portfolio covering this area of council policy since May.

"I am very happy to commit to you, as the portfolio holder now, that I will attempt to bring things to scrutiny if they look like scrutiny is required or will be helpful," he added.

In light of a "small response" to a previous consultation, Mr Elliot decided the change would instead be brought in as a pilot and run for 12 months.

But Midsomer Norton North, Independent councillor Shaun Hughes said the council would "do a better job" through scrutiny of mitigating and problems before moving to a pilot.

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