A Major talking point this month is the time it takes certain Councils to issue a permit to allow a skip to be placed in the road. I have spoken at length with skip operatives in certain areas of the country who are more than a little agitated that their Council have changed the time it now takes to obtain a permit. It has gone from being able to order and deliver a skip on the same day to now having to ask 3-5 days in advance to obtain a permit. This is as I’m sure you are all aware a massive disruption and is resulting in loss of work as some customers are just not prepared to wait.

I contacted the Councils concerned and voiced my concerns that by making the reputable skip companies wait this amount of time, they will in fact encourage more people to use “Joe Bloggs” who promises to drop and pick up the skip on the same day without the need of a permit for a fraction of the cost. The simple fact is, the paying public may in some cases need a skip straightaway and to be quoted almost a working week just isn’t good enough .So what’s the alternative? Its waste, rubbish, who care’s who takes it away as long as it’s taken? Step forward “Joe Bloggs.” The other alternative is of course to get rid of it themselves. Dump it in a quiet secluded area where they won’t be seen. But that’s “fly-tipping” isn’t it? The Councils concerned “reassured” me that their street “enforcers” will be out and about making sure that all skips on the public highway are monitored and have the relevant permits. I yet again expressed my concerns.

I have since written to the Waste Minister and Defra and have as yet received no reply despite requesting a speedy response. Is this a new regulation that will be enforced across the UK? Why should certain Councils say 3-5 days when others can issue the same day? One Council actually takes 8 days to issue a permit!

Our next issue is due out in 2 weeks and by then I’m hopeful to have received a reply, which I will print and ask you to comment on. In the mean time tell us what you think and how this has affected you. Maybe it doesn’t yet apply in your area but still contact us and let us know your thoughts. How long does it take to get your permit and what importantly are the costs? I want to hear from you all across the country and compare how areas differ. Should make interesting reading.

If you wish to comment on this or any other matter please email me at info@nsha-uk.co.uk or call me direct on 01206-307107 and with your permission we will include them in the next e-news.  Please also take the time to browse our survey question.

Mark Williams

NSHA

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