Renfrewshire Council has assured residents that councillors and staff do not automatically receive free or discounted garden waste permits.

The local authority clarified the position after a question was asked of the scheme – which operates as a £40 charge per brown bin – on social media.

It said the only way that would happen is if an individual qualifies for an exemption, which applies to those who receive full council tax reduction or have a severe mental impairment.

A resident tweeted the council, asking: “Do councillors or council employees get free or reduced permits?”

The local authority replied: “Neither received free or reduced permits, unless they qualify for an exemption.”

The service change, which is predicted to make £828,000 in 2023/24, kicked off in July.

Councillor Chris Gilmour, Labour group environment spokesperson, said last week: “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.

“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.”

Brown bins presented with garden waste inside them but without a permit have been lifted at first.

However, a tag was 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, as its uplift is a statutory requirement for councils.

A council spokesperson said previously: “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.”