Council bin collection fuel bill set for £200,000 rise

Fuel costs to run a Kent council's bin collection service are set to rise by an extra £200,000 next year due to conflict in the Middle East.

Residents in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay could bear the brunt of rising prices after plans were revealed as part of Canterbury City Council's (CCC) draft budget proposals, which include a 2.97% rise in council tax.

The authority has been urged to "root out waste" in its contract with Canenco, the company which runs residential bin collection and street cleaning in the district.

A CCC spokesperson said: "The £200,000 on fuel increases is based on assumptions for next year, but remains under review within a very volatile fuel market."

The cost of petrochemicals worldwide has massively increased since the American attack on Iran in February, followed by wider regional conflict.

CCC has put its draft budget for the 2027-28 financial year out to consultation to seek residents' views following a cabinet meeting on 3 November, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Opposition member Dan Watkins spoke at the meeting, criticising proposals for the planned "uplift" in Canenco's funding.

The increase in funding for Canenco penned in is "well over general inflation or minimum wage increases," he said.

Documents published ahead of the meeting detail a proposed additional £200,000 for fuel and an extra £200,000 allocated to carry out maintenance on Canenco's fleet of vehicles.

Charlotte Cornell, cabinet member for council services, responded to Watkins, saying the increase in fuel prices was "between 28% and 40%, and so it is far more than the inflationary rate you find on other items".

She said: "The blame lies nowhere near this chamber, very little to do with this country indeed."

The cabinet voted to go out to consultation on the budget, which has to be finally approved before 1 April.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, X, and on Instagram and listen to BBC Radio Kent on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.