The Cabinet decision item 5 - Green Garden Waste Service

Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Cabinet today, Monday 6 September has deferred the decision to introduce charges to the green waste collection.

Residents will continue to have up to 2 green bins collected free of charge. The Cabinet was responding to suggestions that introducing additional green waste charges would be a potential way of protecting front line services from cuts during a period of austerity. The suggestions came during The Cabinet's spending review which has identified £383,000 of savings during the current financial year.

Councillor Stephen Gray, Leader of Stratford-on-Avon District Council says: "We know our Green Garden Waste Service is highly valued by residents and this District Council is one of a minority of Councils in the country providing a free green garden waste service. We are pleased that we have been able to identify substantial savings in other areas that make charging unnecessary at this time.

"Recycling in Stratford District has proved popular with residents and this has made us the 5^th most successful Council in England for recycling. This was an improvement from 59^th a year before and we are keen to keep up this momentum. We needed to consider the charging suggestions as they might have produced a substantial income."

The Cabinet report - Item 5

Up to two green wheeled bins are collected every two weeks without charge. Residents are able to purchase an annual permit for emptying a third bin from the District Council for £40 and a durable tag is put on the bin, with contractors Verdant keeping a record for validation.

In a survey of 66 other Council 21% provided no green waste collection at all and 38% of them charged for green waste collection. Their charges ranged up to £60 per year although they were typically around £30.

The Green Garden Waste Service from the District Council is an all year round service.