A CHARGE of £5 for bulk waste collection from homes is to remain in place.
Wear Valley District Council introduced the service last May, and items accepted for collection include furniture, carpets, broken toys and bicycles.
On Wednesday, councillors discussed whether to continue with the charge, which has raised £22,000, and voted in favour.
Council leader Neil Stonehouse said: "I think the rates are reasonable.
"Five pounds is not an expensive amount to pay for the collection of often more than one item.
"We do need to offset our costs. Fly-tipping has certainly increased and this had laid considerable extra costs."
In the past ten months, the average monthly recorded rate of fly-tipping incidents has risen 3.9 per cent, from 206.4 to 214.8.
Liberal Democrat members at the meeting of the council's community services committee voted to abolish the charge.
But Councillor Charlie Kay, who voted in favour, said: "It has brought in £22,000 of income to keep Wear Valley District Council cleaner and greener. I think it makes perfect sense."
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