RESIDENTS could have to pay for garden waste bin collections if council proposals are pushed through.

Braintree Council is looking into the possibility of adding a charge for green bin collections in the district.

The council says it is due to factors such as inflation, the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

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A Braintree Council spokesman said: “An income proposal as part of our budget has been put forward to charge for green bin collections.

“The collection of garden waste is a discretionary service and local authorities can make a reasonable charge if they wish to do so, something that 65 per cent of local authorities in the UK and many in Essex already do. 

“Due to the council’s strong financial management, we have been able to provide a free fortnightly garden waste collection service since 2002.

“However, with the dramatic increase in inflation, affecting the cost of the service, the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, together with rising energy and fuel costs, the cost-of-living situation and uncertainty over government funding facing all councils, we are having to put forward some difficult proposals about where to make savings and/or increase our income.

“By introducing this charge for this discretionary service, it would be a significant step to helping us to plug our financial gap and setting a balanced budget in future years.”

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The spokesman continued: “We are still awaiting to hear more from the Government about the new statutory guidance regarding changes in waste collections, so this proposal is subject to there being no government announcement in the intervening period that requires local authorities to provide a free garden waste collection service. 

“No decisions have been taken on this change yet, and this and other proposals will be presented to councillors for consideration at our upcoming cabinet and full council meetings, with the final budget being agreed in February 2023.

"If it is approved, we will communicate the final detailed proposals with residents."