Call-in request on skips

Wednesday 7th April 2010, 10:13AM BST.

Plans to scrap Shropshire’s community skips service could be called in for scrutiny amid fears it could lead to a rise in fly-tipping in the countryside.

The Liberal Democrat group at Shropshire Council, supported by Independent members, has asked for the decision of the council cabinet last week to be called-in so there can be a “full consultation” over the future of the service.

It has been operating on particular days from 21 sites in the former North Shropshire district and from four sites in the south of the county.

But cabinet members agreed unanimously to scrap the service in a move which will save the authority £47,000 a year.

The Lib Dems call-in request will now be considered by the council’s monitoring officer and scrutiny committee chairman, and if they find it is valid request then the skips issue will be further investigated by watchdogs.

Bishop’s Castle member, Peter Phillips, who has been at the forefront of a campaign to retain the service in the town, said the plan to scrap the service had been “badly handled”.

View more: North Shropshire news.