Issue - meetings

Option 2 – Increase annual subscription cost in 2022-23 by £2 per month.

Cllrs Peacey-Wilcox, Andre, Fuller and Jones-Evans declared an interest in this item as they were subscribers to the garden waste service.

This could not be included within the budget considerations at there were deadlines which had to be met to introduce the new charge with effect from 1 April 202.The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had raised some concerns at the proposed fee increased but had not made a recommendation to Cabinet. The proposed increase would enable the service to be extended in the future to enable some of the 1200 people currently on the waiting list to access the service. The price was still competitive and, if approved, would be held for two years. It was believed that growing the service would increase employment opportunities.

In response to a question regarding assistance to people on low incomes to access the service, it was confirmed that poverty had been a consideration in arriving at the proposals in the report. It was also confirmed that the council would continue to promote home composing where possible and that disposal of green waste at the council’s household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) was still free of charge.

Consideration was given to the report which sought the Cabinet’s approval to increase the cost of the annual Green Garden Waste Subscription service by £2 per month in 2022.

Discussion took place regarding income generation and the current waiting list for the non-essential elective service. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste Management confirmed that the aim was for the service to be as widely available as possible in order to best serve the community; and to make this possible additional capacity was needed and in turn costs would increase.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and proposed recommendations be noted.