A pay-as-you-throw bin tax could be introduced in Wales, Welsh Conservatives have learned.
The UK Government has allowed the Labour-Plaid Cymru Assembly Government to introduce the levy and potentially introduce new bin fines for household waste breaches.
The power is contained in a legislative competence order (LCO) on the environment which was made official by The Queen in Privy Council last week.
The decision could allow the Assembly Government to push ahead with the proposals outlined in its Towards zero waste strategy report, published last year.
At the time the strategy described charging for bin collections as “politically sensitive” and “an electoral concern” for the public.
Shadow Local Government Minister Darren Millar AM today warned that the new powers could allow ministers to charge people even more for local services.
The Clwyd West AM said:
“Householders across Wales will be rightly concerned at the prospect of pay-as-you-throw bin taxes being forced upon them.
“Families are already paying more in council tax for local services without this threat hanging over them.
“With councils facing tough decisions over local spending ministers must avoid the temptation of using these new powers as a way to raise more money.
“We need a clear statement from ministers that they have no intention of using these powers. We have consistently opposed the idea of introducing bin taxes in Wales. While we supported the LCO, there was no reference to introducing bin taxes by the minister during committee stage in the Assembly.
“Instead of threatening householders with a new stealth tax, the Assembly Government should be working with councils to extend kerbside recycling and make it easier for all households to go green.
“My fear is that if ministers introduce a new levy it could lead to more communities blighted by fly tipping and backyard burning.”
