MINISTERS have written to councils warning them against introducing “backdoor” bin charging for collecting rubbish.
Environment Department Minister Lord Henley and Local Government Minister Bob Neill took the step amid concerns that a “small minority” of councils were exceeding their legal powers to charge for providing waste services.
The letter, sent to all councils in England, reminds town halls of the rules.
Councils are not allowed to impose charges for collecting mainstream rubbish, but only for things such as garden waste or bulky rubbish, the letter warns. They are also not allowed to levy “call-out” charges if they call at a house but the waste is not picked up.
