TWO local authorities are to scrutinise an unpopular decision by Durham County Council to introduce permits for waste disposal.

The overview and scrutiny committees at Teesdale and Wear Valley District councils are to look into the new permit scheme.

Since December, vans, pick-ups or vehicles towing trailers have had to apply for permits to use the household waste recycling centres around the county.

The permits were introduced to prevent commercial waste being dumped at household sites.

However, district councils have complained the scheme has led to increased cases of fly-tipping.

Yesterday, Teesdale council's scrutiny committee agreed to meet with representatives of Wear Valley council to discuss the problem.

Although the county council has recently said it plans to make its waste disposal permit system more flexible, the district councils still believe there are areas of concern.

Teesdale's scrutiny chairman Councillor Newton Wood said: "Durham County Council are making decisions on their procedures. They are not looking after our interests, they are looking after their own.

"What we are saying is that we are going to see if there are areas to challenge.

"They brought this system in without any reference to us.

"We need to work in partnership with Wear Valley to see if there are areas where we can make some improvements, if any."

Other district councils including Easington and Sedgefield will also be invited to join in the process.

The scrutiny committee will also look at plans to close some waste sites, including Cragwood, at Cockfield.