A CHALLENGE to Blaenau Gwent council's controversial plans to impose £100 fines for failing to recycle has been rejected, in a move opposition councillors branded undemocratic.

The Argus reported last month that Labour councillors had "called in" the executive committee's decision to fine residents who repeatedly fail to use their wheelie bins properly or use a food recycling system.

They asked for the proposals to be reconsidered because councillors had not had a chance to debate the issue at full council.

But the local authority confirmed yesterday that it has rejected the call-in request, meaning the new system - which will cost #59,000 to get off the ground - will go ahead as planned later this summer.

A statement from the council said the call-in was not permitted because it "did not meet the criteria for call-in as set out in the constitution".

But a letter from the authority's deputy monitoring officer notifying Labour councillors of the rejection, which has been seen by the Argus, goes further, saying no councillors objected to the proposals at an environment scrutiny meeting on April 21 where the new policy was first discussed by councillors from all parties, including Labour.

But Cllr Keith Clements, a Labour member of the environment scrutiny committee who originally voted in favour of the proposals, said he had signed the call-in request because he changed his mind about the new policy after the meeting and wanted to see it debated further.

He said: "I would admit I made a mistake with my first vote, but I find it amazing a council that's supposed to be open can make decisions behind closed doors and refuse to look at any decision that's been recalled."

Labour ward member for Llanhilleth, Cllr Hedley McCarthy, said all councillors should have had the opportunity to debate the "draconian" measures, which have been described by residents as "threatening" and "bully boy tactics".

He said: "Something like this should have been the decision of the council, which met the same week the executive took the decision.

"It's a democratic infringement."

Tredegar councillor Steve Thomas added: "Our constituents have voted for us to represent our wards. They could be fined without having a say in the matter."

Cllr Thomas said the opposition would continue to fight the proposals, and would raise the matter at the next full council meeting on July 7.