CHARITIES will have to pay to recycle at the tip under Wiltshire Council’s latest plan to cut costs and queues.

The council slashed the opening hours of its household recycling centres last year in a bid to save money.

Now it wants to save another £40,000 a year by charging voluntary groups £44 for six visits a year, or £70 for up to 12 visits.

Many charities in Salisbury and south Wiltshire are unhappy with the changes, which come into force start in September.

Martin Field from homeless charity Alabare said the proposed changes made no sense.

“People ask us to take unwanted goods off their hands instead of taking it themselves to the tip – some of it we are able to refurbish and recycle –goods are recycled, that’s good for the economy and the environment, the money goes to a good cause, they don’t make a trip to the tip – and there’s no landfill! It’s a win-win.

“If we have to pay to take goods to the tip – that’s money that won’t be there to help people that need it. So we’ll be able to help fewer people get back on their feet – and they will be more dependent on Wiltshire Council services.”

Under the decision made by Toby Sturgis, cabinet member for waste, 27 schools in receipt of a discretionary pass, plus seven housing associations, will also have to cough up the funds.

Queues started to build outside each of the 11 household recycling centres, run by Hills Waste Solutions on behalf of Wiltshire Council, last June as each closed its doors for two days a week.

Jerry Wickham, portfolio holder for waste, said while it was a tough decision to make, savings have to be made.

He added: “The centre should be offered to the people it is for, such as householders who are paying their council tax.

“I am genuinely sympathetic to the charities and what we are saying is that we are not stopping them from using the facilities but we are looking for a small charge irrespective of the organisation. Any revenue we get in will be offset to other costs we have elsewhere.”

The Burnbake Trust in Wilton, which provides donated furniture to for people who have nothing, will be among those the charities affected.

The council already axed withdrew all its funding last year, and manager Rita Maple said the latest decision would make life harder than ever.

“It’s really a struggle from day to day now,” she said.

“It’s just not on. It’s getting harder and harder, and we wonder what’s next. It’s just one thing after another. We are doing car boot sales, markets and jumble sales just to keep our head above water.”