People feel they have been “ripped off” by the recent rollout of a £40 garden waste permit in Renfrewshire, an elected member has claimed.

The service change – which is predicted to make the local authority £828,000 in 2023/24 – kicked off a fortnight ago and has been met with an “air of unhappiness”, according to a veteran politician.

Councillor Chris Gilmour, Labour environment spokesperson, said residents believe they’re being short-changed because they’re expected to fork out the full fee – despite the permit scheme starting months into the financial year.

He said: “Certainly from meeting people in the street, they’re saying they’re not going to do it this year, if at all, because they believe they’re being ripped off by having to pay the full year for what is not a full-year service.

“People have been telling me they’re going to use the dump instead. I know people have been going to the dump more than they would previously.

“We don’t have the infrastructure, land and environment board until August 30 but that’s when I expect to find out what the uptake has been.

“But the fact is people are unhappy about it. They feel that they pay enough council tax as it is without having this additional burden on them.

“There is a general air of unhappiness about this scheme.”

The policy, which formed part of the SNP administration’s budget process in March and works out as a £40 charge per brown bin, means residents who want their garden waste collected need a valid permit displayed on their bin.

Brown bins presented with garden waste inside them but without a permit have been lifted at first. However, a tag has been stuck on them advising they need a permit in place for future collections.

There is no need for a permit for those with only food waste inside – since its uplift is a statutory requirement for councils.

Meanwhile, an exemption on payment will be offered to householders entitled to full council tax reduction or with a severe mental impairment.

While the council has insisted the charge brings it in line with two-thirds of local authorities who provide the service, the move has been criticised by the opposition.

Councillor Gilmour, who represents Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, added: “We still have a financial crisis.

“People are still struggling to put food on the table and keep heat in their houses. Inflation is still very high.

“People are feeling it. That is what I am getting. This is the feedback I am getting when I meet people in the supermarkets and walk about the town.

“They’re stopping me and saying, ‘What about this bin charge? Isn’t that ridiculous?’

“It hasn’t gone away. There is still that underlying feeling.

“The people who begrudgingly got the permit, they are worried that next year the charge will increase.

“It’s not just me. Speaking to my colleagues, it’s been a topic of conversation for them too.”

A council spokesperson said: “To allow us to continue to provide a garden waste collection to those who wish one, a permit has been introduced.

“Residents who have purchased a permit have received a full year’s service as it was provided for free before the permit came into place on July 10.

“We would encourage anyone who wishes to receive a garden waste collection to apply for their permit as soon as possible.

“Alternatively, they can take their garden waste directly to any of our recycling centres for free or use our special uplift service.”