FROM April 2021, Stratford District Council is introducing a charge for the collection of garden waste.
The current cost of providing the service free for all 61,386 properties in the district, which includes Alcester and Studley, is £1,152,525 a year.
The charge is part of a package of measures to offset cuts in central government funding.
Operations portfolio holder Councillor Ian Shenton said: “The subscription service is being introduced as we can no longer afford to collect garden waste free of charge.
“Unlike household waste and recycling, councils are not required by law to collect garden waste free-of-charge and not everyone uses the service.
“Making it self-funding will enable the service to continue for only those who want it.
“We think the new subscription service offers a good deal for gardeners and is the fairest option because only those using the service would be asked to pay.”
The annual charge is £40 for each green bin, however, if residents sign up between January 11 and February 28, 2021, there is an early bird offer of £35 per green bin.
Householders who pay to have their garden waste taken away will be issued with a non-transferable permit to attach to their green bin.
Those who choose not to take part in the scheme have the choice of home composting or taking their garden waste to a recycling centre.
Warwickshire County Council offer discounted home composting bins on their website: Composting – Warwickshire County Council.
