Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development attached.

Decision made:

1.    That Cabinet recommends Council to reduce the charge for the provision of the garden waste collection service from £30 per annum to £25 per annum from April 2020. This being a 17% tax reduction in the Garden Waste collection charge.

2.    That Cabinet approves the changes in policy relating to the changes in policy relating to the charges for the replacement of damaged waste containers.

3.    That a review of the Garden Waste Charging Policy be undertaken, that will look at further reductions or removal of charges for those on pension credit or low incomes, composting and Christmas tree disposal.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Susan Jones presented a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development that sought approval on the proposed reduction in charge for the provision of the garden waste collection service and changes in policy relating to charges for the replacement of waste containers.

Councillor David Howarth fully welcomed the reduction and hoped that it would be the first stage, requesting that Cabinet look at further reductions for those people in receipt of Pension Credit or on low incomes. Councillor Howarth also asked for the Council to look into the provision of composting facilities, especially to benefit residents who didn’t have a big enough garden to warrant paying for a service to dispose of their garden waste.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster agreed to the suggestions, also adding a review of the Christmas tree disposal service to the recommendations.

In response to a member of the public, The Cabinet Member for the Environment explained that when people don’t renew their subscriptions, the bins are collected by the Council and reused.

Decision made (unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet recommends Council to reduce the charge for the provision of the garden waste collection service from £30 per annum to £25 per annum from April 2020. This being a 17% tax reduction in the Garden Waste collection charge.

2.    That Cabinet approves the changes in policy relating to the charges for the replacement of damaged waste containers.

3.    That a review of the Garden Waste Charging Policy be undertaken, that will look at further reductions or removal of charges for those on pension credit or low incomes, composting and Christmas tree disposal.

Reason(s) for the decision:

1.     To support Our People and Communities to seek innovative ways to ease the financial burden on residents of the borough in line with the commitment of the Council identified within the revised Corporate Plan for 2019-23.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.     To continue with the current level of charging for both services.