Councillors clash over waste fees

A war of words has broken out over Renfrewshire Council's garden waste permit - after a Reform UK politician branded the scheme as "unfair and illogical as ever".

- JACK THOMSON, LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER

Councillor Jamie McGuire, who defected from Labour to Nigel Farage’s party earlier this month, has hit out at the charge which was first rolled out in July 2023.

The annual fee for the service rose from £40 to £47 for 2025/26 and will increase further to £52 in 2026/27 and £57 in 2027/28 after a pricing strategy was voted through in January.

Councillor McGuire, who represents Renfrew North and Braehead, blasted the policy as “nonsense” and a “stealth tax” as he took aim at the SNP administration.

He said: “The £47 charge for garden waste collection isn’t new but it remains as unfair and illogical as ever.

“Introduced by the SNP-led administration in Renfrewshire, this policy continues to hit ordinary residents in the pocket for using the same brown bin they've always had.