A DROP in the number of garden waste permits purchased in East Renfrewshire has “vindicated” a decision to raise the fee by £10, rather than £20, it is claimed.

A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Barrhead News shows that, as of December 1, a total of 22,309 permits had been bought as part of the current scheme, which began in May and saw the annual fee rise to £50.

This is compared to 23,219 purchased during 2022/23.

Councillor Andrew Morrison, who represents Newton Mearns North and Neilston for the Scottish Conservatives, said: “The purpose of the garden waste charge is to offset the costs involved in providing this service but we need to show moderation in how we charge for it.

“The figures shown to me by the Barrhead News vindicate our position of applying more restraint to the level of charge made.”

When cash-strapped East Renfrewshire Council met to set its budget last March, the garden waste collection charge was increased from £40 in a bid to collect an estimated extra £230,000.

Earlier in 2023, an above inflation increase of £20 from £40 to £60 had been agreed by the council’s cabinet.

Conservative councillors, however, then called that decision in, claiming the proposed rise to £60 would put an “unfair burden” on residents.

The audit committee subsequently recommended lifting the charge to £45 before the cabinet agreed a £50 annual fee, which was subsequently approved in the budget.

This was described by council leader Owen O’Donnell as “a fair compromise.”

Councillor Morrison added: “Last year it was proposed that the new charge of £40 would rise by 50 per cent, up to £60, and that was not acceptable to my Conservative group colleagues and I.

“As a consequence, the audit committee had an inquest into the possible consequences of such a steep increase.

“As chair of the audit committee, I expressed that my primary concern was assumptions made on the income generated were too optimistic because they didn’t take into account behavioural change, such as people opting to share a garden waste bin or making other arrangements to avoid a much more expensive charge.

“The Conservatives had recommended £45 at the time but compromised with the Labour administration to support £50 over the originally proposed £60.

“SNP members on the committee which reviewed the increase last year supported an increase to £60.”

The Barrhead News can also reveal that income generated from the garden waste permit scheme has increased from £928,760 in 2022/23 to £1,115,450 for 2023/24, as of December 1.

A council spokesperson said: “With the increased cost of living, it is understandable that garden waste permit sales are slightly down on the previous year.”