COUNCIL chiefs have backed down on plans which would have seen residents charged �30 to replace lost or stolen wheelie bins. Great Yarmouth Borough Council had suggested that householders would have to pay the fee to help the authority slash up to �25,000 from its annual bin budget.

COUNCIL chiefs have backed down on plans which would have seen residents charged �30 to replace lost or stolen wheelie bins.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council had suggested that householders would have to pay the fee to help the authority slash up to �25,000 from its annual bin budget.

However, the u-turn comes after Conservative councillor Jim Shrimplin, cabinet member for environment, said charging residents for replacements bins that were stolen would be like charging victims of crime.

He said: “For people who have lost their bin it is seldom their own fault, they are either set fire to or stolen. I rather feel it would be it would be like charging people who have been mugged.”

The amendment to the council's bin replacement policy means that only developers will have to pay a �30 for every bin needed at a new home.

The householders' fee had been suggested because the council thought it would lead to householders keeping a closer eye on their bins and stop them being left out on streets.

It was also estimated that the new or replacement bin fees would cut the council's annual bin budget of �30,000 down to �5,000.

Earlier this year the council approved a move to fine householders up to �1,000 if they leave their wheelie bins out on the streets on non-collection days.

The replacement policy was due to be rubber stamped at last night's full council meeting.