14 March 2024 , 14:36
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Residents have been left fuming at a “terrible” bin collection change which will cause millions of people to pay to have waste taken away.
People in several areas face a £40 annual fee for fortnightly collections of brown-lid bins. Areas affected by the fee from next month include Stoke on Trent, Coventry, North Northamptonshire, Renfrewshire, Chesterfield and Nuneaton and Bedworth. Other places, including Cheshire, will have to pay £56, while it will reach £65 in the New Forest. Those in Barnet will be hit hardest, with a cost of £70.
A spokesperson for Barnet Council said: “We consulted residents on the garden waste collection service, which revealed how much they value it. We want to continue to provide the service, as Barnet has a significant number of properties with gardens and charging for garden waste collections will allow this. The £70 fee per year is in line with other neighbouring councils and will enable investment in other environmental services such as improved street cleaning and investment in upgrading roads and pavements.”
Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of the Council, added: “The decision to charge for garden waste collections is not one that has been taken lightly. I feel strongly we must manage resources responsibly, and this decision not only saves money but will allow us to invest in keeping Barnet’s streets clean and in a good condition.”
Residents told CoventryLive they were not impressed by the fee. One said: “Terrible. We pay enough to Coventry City Council and should not have to pay for bins to be emptied.” Another added: “I think we pay enough as it is. I am disappointed to hear about the plans to introduce charges for garden waste collection in April 2024. Residents deserve transparency and fair treatment.”
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A statement shared by Coventry City Council reads: “Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget every year. We were already aware there were serious funding pressures. As a result, we needed to take a long look at our services and have identified places where we have to make cuts. Although these are difficult decisions for our organisation to make we want to be as open and transparent with you about them as possible.”