It’s currently free to obtain a permit for placing a skip on a public highway from Cumbria County Council. But, like so many other local authorities, they’ve had a great idea...
The idea goes something like this: “Why provide something for free when we can squeeze more revenue out of it?”
Recently approved budget papers indicate that a £15 fee for each highway skip permit would raise a staggering £900,000 a year in additional revenue for the council. And that’s not all - the level of the charge has yet to be set, and could be even higher when it comes into force this summer.
Councillors in opposition have been voicing their opinions on the unfairness of the proposed charges.
Stewart Young, Labour group leader, said: “This discriminates between those able to place a skip on their drive and those who live in terraced houses who will have to pay. It is unnecessary and should not be introduced.”
Brampton Skip Hire owner, Rick Allan, said: “We’re being used as tax collectors. It’s ridiculous. It penalises people for not being able to afford a house with a drive.”
A spokesman for the council said that most councils charge for skip permits already, pointing out that in Hertfordshire the fee is £40 and in Lancashire £22.50.
What a great defence! Next time I find myself being violently beaten in the street, I’ll try not to be angry, but to remember that I should just accept it because some people get murdered...
