Pensioners are wheelie very angry
Thursday, 27th July 2000.
Pensioners are challenging St Edmundsbury Borough Council's decision to charge £25 for replacing a lost or damaged wheelie bin.
Frank Bradsell, chairman of the Haverhill and District Pensioners Association, has written to the council on behalf of his members, who believe the charge is unfair.
Despite a concession that pensioners in receipt of benefit should not pay the charge, Mr Bradsell believes no pensioner, or any other resident, should have to pay.
"Bins are under our control whilst in our custody, but when left on the pavement outside the house this is not the case. They can be stolen or damaged or devoured by the refuse collection vehicle.
"Waiving payment from pensioners receiving a benefit assumes that all others are in a position to pay. This shows how much some of the councillors are out of touch with those they represent.
"It is not ironic that the Government often refers to the State Pension for the elderly as a benefit," Mr Bradsell said.
Graham Hemingway of St Edmundsbury's waste management section said the charge was introduced because the council was losing huge numbers of bins.
A charge was not made if the bin was swallowed up while being emptied and owners were advised to paint house numbers on their bins. The move was aimed at making residents more responsible for their bins and losses had dropped since it was introduced.
Frank Bradsell, chairman of the Haverhill and District Pensioners Association, has written to the council on behalf of his members, who believe the charge is unfair.
Despite a concession that pensioners in receipt of benefit should not pay the charge, Mr Bradsell believes no pensioner, or any other resident, should have to pay.
"Bins are under our control whilst in our custody, but when left on the pavement outside the house this is not the case. They can be stolen or damaged or devoured by the refuse collection vehicle.
"Waiving payment from pensioners receiving a benefit assumes that all others are in a position to pay. This shows how much some of the councillors are out of touch with those they represent.
"It is not ironic that the Government often refers to the State Pension for the elderly as a benefit," Mr Bradsell said.
Graham Hemingway of St Edmundsbury's waste management section said the charge was introduced because the council was losing huge numbers of bins.
A charge was not made if the bin was swallowed up while being emptied and owners were advised to paint house numbers on their bins. The move was aimed at making residents more responsible for their bins and losses had dropped since it was introduced.
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