Tewkesbury Borough Council is exploring a pilot scheme aimed at reducing the “bin blight” in the town’s conservation area by requiring residents to remove their bins from the streets once emptied. The council emphasizes that fining residents will only be considered as a final measure after all efforts to encourage compliance have been exhausted.
The initiative gained momentum after a petition signed by hundreds of residents raised concerns about bins cluttering the medieval town’s streets. Following thorough discussions by a dedicated working group, the council approved recommendations last week to advance the plan.
Councillor Murray Stewart, lead member for environmental services, highlighted the need for a balanced approach: “Householders would be supported and encouraged to store bins away from the street wherever possible. Enforcement would only take place as a last resort when all other options have failed.”
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The council is currently working on the financial details of the pilot, with a full cost assessment slated for presentation to council leaders by June. At that point, a decision will be made on funding and implementation.
Deputy leader Sarah Hands addressed community concerns and social media speculation about the initiative being a revenue-generating tactic. “This proposal comes directly from residents’ requests, not as a means to make money. A lot of effort has gone into this through our scrutiny committee, and as a council, we have a responsibility to act on these recommendations,” she said.
Some council members voiced reservations. Councillor Paul McLain cited budget constraints and the potential impact of upcoming local government reorganization as reasons to pause. “Introducing this now may be premature and costly. Also, why focus only on one conservation area?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, Councillor Craig Carter expressed support and suggested expanding the policy borough-wide to address bin-related obstructions more comprehensively.
Ultimately, the council voted in favor of moving forward with the pilot scheme, aiming to balance residents’ concerns, heritage preservation, and practical resource management.