Committee chair not in favour of introducing dump subscription charge
THE IDEA of introducing a subscription charge for using the dump in Lerwick is not supported by the chair of Shetland Islands Council’s (SIC) environment and transport committee.
Moraig Lyall said she knows how much the Shetland community values access to the facility, and added that she is not looking to introduce charges for reasons such as the “increased temptation” for fly-tipping.
The idea of a subscription fee has reared its head again following a news report on a number of savings proposals or income-raising measures suggested by the council, and subsequent social media discussion.
This list, which covers a range of services and was compiled by council officers, was first made public back in February when the council was setting its budget for 2026/27.
It was said at the time that many of the ideas would be ultimately be ruled out, with some – including closing the dump on Sundays and ending grasscutting in graveyards – already scrubbed off the list by elected members.
Lyall said this week that “many of these will be considered and set aside as either unworkable or not worth it for the amount they would raise or not acceptable to the community”.
Waste management is among the services which the environment and transport committee oversees.
At the moment people disposing of domestic waste at the Gremista waste management facility in Lerwick, from large items to garden material, do not need to pay anything.
The idea of a subscription fee for using the facility drew concern from many folk on Facebook.
It was also raised at a meeting of Lerwick Community Council on Monday evening.
Andy Carter said “if they start charging individuals for taking stuff to the dump, does that not increase the risk of fly-tipping?”
His views were echoed by other members, with the view that it could create a “false economy”.
Chairman Jim Anderson said the community council would write to the SIC for clarification.
The list of savings proposals says: “Currently disposal of waste at the Gremista HWRC [household waste recycling centre] is easier for domestic users than commercial users.
“To reduce the amount of commercial waste disposed via domestic streams, the process should become easier for commercial users relative to domestic users (or the inverse – more difficult for domestic users relative to commercial users)”.
“The decision of whether a commercial user complies or not should be made in advance,” it added.
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