Charging for the removal of old sofas and washing machines has led to an increase in fly-tipping, it is claimed.

Craven councillors had been told the introduction of an £18 fee to remove bulky waste from people’s homes would not result in an increase in fly-tipping.

But those at the latest overview and scrutiny meeting of Craven District Council, said evidence suggested otherwise.

Since the charge was introduced in April last year for the removal of up to three items from residents’ homes, the number of requests had dropped from around 100 a week to just 20, councillors were told.

Coun Pat Fairbank (Cons) said she knew of one man in his 80s who had threatened to leave old furniture in his garden rather than pay the fee.

“He only gets £127 pension a week. He says he can’t afford it and will leave it in his garden to rot,” she said.

She knew of another case where a skip full of rubbish had disappeared overnight.

Others said there had been a noticeable increase in flytipping – particularly along the railway line.

Coun Andy Quinn (Cons) said there had been a significant amount of fly-tipping in Embsay.

“We are seeing fridges and builders’ material. Someone is removing it and I am sure it is the council,” he said.

And Coun Andy Solloway (Lib Dem) said dumping had become worse along the railway line at Skipton.

“I am pleased to see that, statistically, it has not changed too much, but evidence on the ground and in our wards is that it has gone up,” he said.

Coun Polly English (Lib Dem) said the council would benefit from the return of the Craven Furniture Scheme. It is hoped the scheme – which ended last year when Craven Voluntary Action folded – will soon return as the Craven Recycled Furniture Centre.

The collection of “bulky waste” from residents’ homes used to be free and operated on Saturdays.

The cost of running the service, which included 12 staff being paid overtime dealing with around 100 requests a week, was around £83,000 per year.

Councillors were told the service was now operated by two staff working just one weekday and dealing with around 20 calls a week.

Deputy chief executive Paul Ellis said the service cost around £8,400 in staff time and £4,000 in vehicle costs. Income was around £19,000, leaving a net surplus of £6,600.