One of only London borough's where garden waste is collected for free every week plans to charge £70
The local authority says the proposed change would 'also mean that the service is paid for by those using it rather than the cost being shared by all taxpayers, including those without gardens'. London Borough of Hillingdon (LBH) believes the plan, which would cost residents £70 per year, could save £2.5 million, however not everyone is convinced. Many other London boroughs already charge for garden waste.
Sarah Aksam, 36, is a single mum from West Drayton. She labelled the councils plans as 'outrageous' and 'diabolical'. She said: "I think it's outrageous as rent and council tax will also be going up. The council needs to think of the resident and what helps them, not bring in more costs.
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"I'm a single parent and it's a struggle before the council add these new costs... the next best option we have to remove the garden waste is to go down the tip, and I don't think it'll be long before the council start charging you for taking your garden waste down there too."
At a meeting of full council on Thursday (February 27), Labour Leader Councillor Peter Curling objected to the policy. He said: "Not only is this the Conservative group sinking their own flagship policy of free weekly collections, but we believe this is a figure plucked out of the air. It is based on an estimate of around 35,715 council taxpayers that would be willing to sign up for and pay £70 for their green waste to be collected."
In Ealing, around 13,500 residents use the paid-for service. Hillingdon would need more than double that number to meet cost saving projections despite having a lower population.
Council Leader Ian Edwards responded, claiming that Labour have 'no alternative plan'. He added: "Instead of our proposal to charge for green waste collections we could've raised fees and charges, charging more for older cars and diesel. Labour policy, not achievable, not realistic."
On Wednesday (February 26) the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed Hillingdon Council is 'at risk' of bankruptcy. A council report outlined a number of financial pressures facing the local authority.
It said: "[The council] has chosen to deliver a full range of universal services at no extra cost to residents in some areas that other authorities have been charging for years... the council's low fees and charges reduce income, contributing to financial challenges."
A four-week consultation launched on Monday (March 3), as the council 'seeks to understand residents' usage and views' on the policy proposal. LBH believe the subscription fee would offer residents 'better value for money than neighbouring boroughs through a cheaper rate per collection'. The council would retain the current weekly collections in spring, summer and autumn.
Ealing Council introduced fortnightly garden waste collection fees in 2012, and currently charge residents £96.50 per year. Hounslow Council introduced collection charges in 2018. Residents currently pay £65 per year, with waste collected every two weeks.
Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Community and Environment, said: "We are constantly seeking to protect residents from increased burdens but it is necessary to consider this proposal in order to ensure a more sustainable operating model for the future while continuing to put residents first by delivering value for money in comparison to our neighbouring boroughs."
The consultation is open until Monday, March 31, and a decision will be made in spring. Residents can contribute to the consultation on the Hillingdon Council website.
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