Decision details

The Portfolio Holder for Operations will be asked to consider whether residents who are entitled to them, continue to receive discounted bulky waste collections.

RESOLVED:

That the Customer Service Team uses Council Tax Reduction as eligibility to receive a discounted bulky waste collection, as set out in section 2 of Report No: CAB/WS/19/011, be approved.

The roll-out of Universal Credit across West Suffolk means that the Customer Service Team (CST) will no longer be able to identify claimants previously receiving housing benefit.  Council tax reduction is not covered by Universal Credit and is applied locally. 

The Portfolio Holder for Operations considers it appropriate for the CST to ascertain if a resident should be eligible for a bulky waste collection discount by taking those that are eligible for council tax reduction as being a reliable indicator of financial eligibility for a discount and this is available for the CST to check.  Eligible residents will continue to receive a discounted service following the same process that is currently in place.

The number of residents currently eligible for housing benefit is similar to those eligible for council tax reduction.  Residents claiming housing benefit or who receive the housing benefit element in Universal Credit are highly likely to be eligible for council tax reduction.

The decision taken as a result of this proposal will allow the CST to process ongoing applications for discounted bulky waste collection service which can now be introduced with immediate effect.

In addition to the bulky waste service provided by the Council, there continues to be a number of other options available to residents. Bulky waste collections are available from private operators, usually on the replacement of an old item.  Collection takes place when the new item is delivered and costs vary from £15-£30 for a single item (for example a washing machine, fridge freezer or mattress).

Many charities operating locally are able to provide free collections for items that are in good condition and that are reusable.  Information on charities offering this service locally is available on the West Suffolk Council website.

Free disposal continues to be available for all household items at Suffolk County Council’s household waste recycling centres.