Want your green bin back? Prepare to pay for it!

Rugby Borough Council announced last month that the current green bin waste collection service would be suspended just before Christmas.

And then in a press release issued on Friday evening, the council revealed it is considering introducing a charge for households wanting a garden waste collection service.

The last green bin collection will take place in the week beginning December 5, with households due to receive a leaflet about the changes over the next few weeks.

This will include include a consultation form in the information leaflet, aimed at finding out how often residents would use a chargeable garden waste collection service and how much they would be prepared to pay.

Cllr Lisa Parker, portfolio holder for environment and public realm, said: “With the government grant that makes up a large part of the council’s income being phased out over the next few years, we must either reduce our services to match the reduced funding available or fund our existing services from other income.

“Many residents find the garden waste collection service very convenient, so by introducing a charge of perhaps around £1 per week we will be able to provide a cost effective, efficient service for households that want it while minimising the overall net cost of the service.”

Neighbouring Hinckley and Bosworth Borough and Harborough District Councils have already introduced a similar scheme, and Daventry District Council is also starting a chargeable garden waste collection service.

The borough council is required to provide a free rubbish and recycling service, but does not have to collect garden waste.

The working party will make its recommendations in time to support the budget setting process for the next financial year, meaning that a charge could be introduced when the service is reintroduced next spring.