A VOLUNTEER-run community centre has been threatened with a council ban on collecting its rubbish over an unpaid ten pence.

The warning was branded 'ridiculous' by local councillor Roy Davies.

The threat was issued to Darwen Valley Community Centre after it failed to pay its full bill of £789.96.

After the Sudellside Street organisation complained, Blackburn with Darwen Council relented on its threat blaming the lack of staff to check computerised letters due to coronavirus.

The 30-year-old centre on the site of a former cotton mill hosts a number of activities including a nursery, Kung Fu, arts and crafts and sessions by other community groups.

There are also a hall and meeting rooms available for hire.

The centre, which pays its trade waste bill to the council in advance, contacted Cllr Davies after attempts to discuss the warning letter failed to produce any result.

It is managed and financed by Darwen Valley Community Centre Limited, a group of volunteers.

Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Davies said: "Threatening to withdraw waste collection to a community centre, however caused, for an unpaid 10p is ridiculous.

"The letter that has been sent to them for the underpayment of 10p was computer generated, the council have said that due to the Covid-19 virus they are understaffed and this would normally have been picked up.

"I think that using the virus as an excuse is unfair.

"If they have to check every computer letter out for mistakes, what‘s the point in having one?

"This has cost the taxpayer much-needed money. The council should say sorry, but up to now that has not been forthcoming."

The council letter said: "On June 11 we sent you an invoice for trade waste services as per agreement to the value of £789.96.

"According to our records the amount of £0.10 remains outstanding for payment.

"If payment is not received within seven days, then collection of your trade waste will cease.

"Any additional costs incurred in removing backlogs of waste will also be charged."

Approached by the Lancashire Telegraph, a Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: “Reminders are produced automatically by our finance system where an invoice becomes overdue and a balance is outstanding.

"The finance team manually review these before they are issued but unfortunately that did not happen here.

"We can confirm that this account will not be suspended and due to the small amount will not be pursued.

"We apologise for any concerns this may have caused.”