A proposal to scrap the ‘Community Skip’* Service by Shropshire Council has drawn widespread criticism from councillors across the area.
Cllr Peter Phillips of Bishops Castle said “This mobile skip service is highly valued by residents as it provides the only means by which many communities can easily dispose of bulky items. Residents of my ward would have to travel to the Waste Transfer Station in Craven Arms if this service was withdrawn. A waste of time and petrol and not good for the environment either.”
Community Skips are moved around the area by the council, appearing at sites such as Crowgate in Bishops Castle or the Coach Park in Church Stretton at times previously advertised. They allow householders to dispose of most kinds of large items that cannot be taken by normal waste collection.
Cllr Heather Kidd (Chirbury and Worthen) added “Just scrapping this service is very unimaginative. The savings would be small in Council expenditure terms – £49,000 and most of this could be made if the materials were sorted properly (like they do in Powys) when they arrive at the Waste Transfer Station. This would maximise the recycling element and slash the amount we have to pay in landfill tax.”
“Another good move would be to involve our excellent furniture scheme here in South Shropshire in the process. I know that there are grants now available from Government to take on young people and that the furniture scheme have the expertise to train them in waste reclaim. With a little imagination we could put together a package that could keep the skip scheme going, cut costs and perhaps even create a few jobs for young people.”