AIBU to hate my council?

[torthecatlady]

So, I'm already having a shit day with on thing or another right now.

Now my wheely (sp?) bin has been stolen!

We live on a terraced street, but every house has their own front forecourt with a fence and gate. Our bins are kept in this area and I never leave it out longer than a couple of hours after waste has been collected, I wash it out regularly and generally look after it. It is also clearly marked in several places with our address. Some of my neighbours leave theirs out on the curb for days..

This morning I went out to see that our bin had been taken! I walked up and down the street to see if a neighbour had taken it, but couldn't see it.

I called the council to find out what to do and they said I have to pay £25 to have a new one delivered. This is a fairly new charge they have brought in and to cover the cost of administration.

I'm pretty annoyed about this! Who's to say that if I did pay for a new bin, that someone won't take that one as well?

I also asked if I could find a cheaper bin, could i use that instead and they said "No, it has to be X council".
Then I said, "Do I have to have a wheely bin?"
They said "No, you can put 4 black bags out a fortnight."
When I told them the bags have heavy cat litter / waste in them and sometimes tear, the man on the phone said that would be the problem of the bin men and they would write up a report... But he wouldn't tell me what happens next after filing the report!.

I could go and pinch someone elses bin if I was that way inclined, which I'm not and then they'd have to pay £25! So I'm guessing that is what has happened here!!

Perhaps if the council would replace the bin in the first place, this kind of chain reaction wouldn't occur!

It's not just the money side of this which is bothering me, although every penny counts (I am out of work and searching frantically). It's also the fact, I haven't done anything wrong, so why should I have to pay the fees.

So firstly, aibu about paying for a new bin?
And secondly, who the fuck takes a wheely bin?!

[lalalalyra]

Did you ask them to check if the bin went into the lorry? Occasionally they do and if your council is anything like ours they won't tell you that unless you actually ask. I only knew as my neighbour saw it happen.

[hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman]

I thought it was standard to pay a charge to replace a wheelie bin? I know we were told one free then if it goes missing/gets broken/ is stolen you have to pay a charge to cover the cost and delivery of a new bin. If the individual doesn't pay then the whole borough has to fork out in increased council tax charges.

[FrogFairy]

Do you live near a Lidl? They sell a roll of very strong, huge black bags for £2.99 which I am sure would suit your needs.

[ouryve]

Most councils charge for new bins or repairs, now. They've had their budgets slashed and haven't been allowed to raise council tax significantly. The cost of a new bin has to be met from somewhere.

[NoodleNuts]

Keep an eye out on next bin collection day. Someone stole mine last year (clearly marked with my address) and then they used it and put it out for collection the following week. I got to the emptied bin before the bin robber and stole it back!

I live in a terraced street and all our bins are left at the end of the alley to be emptied, then we fetch them back to put in our back yards

[torthecatlady]

It definitely didn't go in the back of the lorry, as I brought it back in that day. It was that night it went missing.
I will definitely try lidl for the strong bin bags.
I understand that people could abuse the system if wheely buns were always free. But surely you should get "one strike then you're out"?
I told my neighbour about it just now and she wondered if it was the people who moved in to the house down the road from us, conincidently yesterday evening. I couldn't see a bin at theres though, so maybe it's hiding somewhere?
I will check next collection, but that is now two weeks away and I would imagine that they will stick a new sticker over our address
Some people juat have no regard for people orher than thenselves. It really bothers me, but I know I shouldn't let it.
Thanks, for the suggestions.

[wasonthelist]

YABU Surely the only person/entity needing hate here is the stinking thieving bin taker?

[torthecatlady]

Absolutely.