Council rejects proposed free community skips

A council has rejected calls to install community skips in an effort to tackle fly-tipping and help clear a waste backlog.

The proposal was put to Sunderland city councillors by opposition Liberal Democrat councillors, but it was voted down at a full council meeting of the Reform UK-led authority.

Skips would have been put in Deptford and Hendon, Pallion and Ford and Washington Central wards as part of the proposal, with a hope to expand it across all areas of the city.

The council said the idea was "laudable", and would "create a new, recurring revenue commitment at a time of significant financial pressure".

Wearside's Liberal Democrats said their proposal would reduce fly-tipping, ease pressure on bulky waste collections and result in a cleaner city.

Free bulky waste collections have been available across Sunderland since April 2023.

Currently a collection of up to six items is free, but often comes with a lengthy wait.

Liberal Democrat Heather Fagan, who represents Doxford Park, said: "Providing residents with convenient and free opportunities to dispose of waste can help prevent illegal dumping and improve the cleanliness of neighbourhoods.

"It looks awful, it costs the council money to clear up and has a real impact on how people feel about the area where they live."

But Bill Blackett, cabinet member for environment, transport and enforcement, was not convinced, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "While neighbourhood recycling events could provide additional convenience for some residents, they would create a new recurring revenue commitment at a time of significant financial pressure."

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