RESIDENTS in Studley and Alcester are being urged to take advantage of Stratford District Council’s ‘early bird’ offer in the run up to charging extra for the collection of green waste.
The Conservative-controlled authority’s ‘Clip and Collect’ garden waste subscription service opens this Monday, January 11, with an early bird offer of £35 for each green bin for a 12 month subscription starting on April 1 instead of the annual charge of £40.
However the council’s opposition Liberal Democrat group says the £40 charge equates to a 28 per cent increase in council tax for a Band D property – something that would not have been legal without a district-wide referendum.
Stratford’s council tax take on a Band D property for 2020-21 was £144.12.
“This is doing it through the back door,” said Councillor Peter Hencher-Serafin (Lib Dem, Studley and Mappleborough Green).
“I’m also disappointed that the Conservatives haven’t agreed any concessions for those on low incomes such as pensioners.”
Coun Ian Shenton, (Con, Wootton Wawen) Operations Portfolio said: “I would encourage anyone who would like to subscribe to our garden waste service, to take advantage of this early bird offer and sign up now before the service starts in April.
“It will give you peace of mind that you will still have your garden waste collected for 12 months and at the same time save you money be signing up early for a weekly fee of 67p.”
The offer runs until February 28.
To subscribe to the service, visit: http://www.stratford.gov.uk/gardenwaste
