Fury as Coventry residents face fortnightly bin collection charges

[dutchman]

Households will soon be charged in a move which has been described as 'terrible'



Residents say they are 'frustrated' after it was announced that they would soon be charged for having their garden waste collected in Coventry. Many have been left angered at the plans which are likely to be implemented in April.

Coventry City Council will soon be charging £40 a year for the fortnightly collection of brown-lidded bins across the city, a report has stated. Anyone who chooses to opt-in for the service will pay the one-time fee and receive a sticker for their bin to show that they are part of the scheme, it is understood.

Proposals say that people can 'choose to opt out.' Residents who decide against their brown-lidded bin being collected will be able to return their existing bins, says Coventry City Council.

It means people will instead have to dispose of their garden waste elsewhere with some slamming the idea as 'terrible.' One said: “Why do we pay Council Tax then? I mean as far as I am concerned getting my bins emptied is all I get from the council anyway.”

Another said: “Terrible. We pay enough to Coventry City Council and should not have to pay for bins to be emptied.” A third echoed this saying: “I think we pay enough as it is.”

A fourth said: “I am disappointed to hear about the plans to introduce charges for garden waste collection in April 2024. Residents deserve transparency and fair treatment.”

Coventry City Council announced the move as part of plans to curb spending at a time when they say they are facing 'serious funding pressures.' Spending will this year likely exceed £867.8m.

A statement shared by Coventry City Council reads: “Councils are required by law to set a balanced budget every year. We were already aware that there were serious funding pressures.

“As a result, we needed to take a long look at our services and have identified places where we have to make cuts. Although these are difficult decisions for our organisation to make we want to be as open and transparent with you about them as possible.”

[dutchman]

Councillor defends £40 bin collection charges as residents ask 'what happens if'



Councillors have defended a decision to start charging a fee for garden waste collections in Coventry. Taxpayers wanting their rubbish collected will soon be made to pay £40 a year.

Residents will have to fork out the annual fee for the fortnightly collection of their brown-lidded bins under new plans. Coventry City Council will be rolling out the charge from June in a bid to claw back funds at a time of 'severe financial pressures.'

Only those who have paid £40 will receive a sticker for their bin to show that their garden waste should be collected. Bins without a sticker will not be collected by crews.

The changes have caused anger among some residents, with some saying it would lead people to dump their garden waste in their black bins, or increase fly-tipping.

But Councillor Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services, defended the plan and said there was a 'high number' of residents in the city who did not use the garden waste service. She said: “With the council facing severe financial pressures, we have needed to take a long look at the services we provide and identify areas for savings.

"As there are a high number of residents in Coventry who do not use the brown-lidded garden waste service, introducing these changes will mean that only residents who want to use the service will need to sign up for it. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to sign up, so residents are able to pay online, over the phone, or in cash.

"Residents who do not wish to pay for a permit are still welcome to take any garden waste to the tip or, of course, can compost at home.”

Many have hit out at the planned change, with one saying that they felt the move was 'short-sighted.' “It penalises folk that have gardens... better off having a driveway and adding to further flooding up and down the country,” they said.

Tony T said: “I thought when brown top bins were introduced the council said they would make money from the compost created. If there is a low take up how will the bin men respond to the inevitable redundancies?”

Caroline Flowers commented: "All be going in one bin then at the bottom." Philip Grierson questioned the practicalities of charging for waste collections, saying: “Another issue will be dumping garden waste in the one pre-paid bin left out. Who will police that?”

A second echoed this, saying: “So, you pay the £40, and get a sticker, but what happens if someone nicks your bin or what happens if someone who has not paid uses your bin?”

Others went on to raise concerns about people refusing to pay the fee which could lead to an increase in fly-tipping. One person quipped: “How to encourage fly tipping without really trying.”

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “It is our intention to start charging for brown-lidded garden waste bin collections in June. A year-long permit will cost £40 and residents will be able to sign up from Monday, April 8.

“Residents will be able to pay online, over the phone, or in person at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct. Information will be available at http://www.coventry.gov.uk/gardenwaste.”

[dutchman]

Coventry people urged to sign up for £40 waste collections or return their bins



Residents have been warned they need to sign up for paid-for garden waste collections in Coventry. It was announced earlier this year that people would be charged a yearly fee of £40.

Anyone who chooses to opt-in for the citywide service will receive a sticker for their bin to show that they are part of the scheme, says Coventry City Council. Collections will start from Monday, June 3 - but those who don't pay won't get it.

Payments can be made online, over the phone or in person using cash, cheque or card at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct. Stickers will be delivered within 5 to 10 working days of the subscription being paid for, it is understood.

Bins will be emptied fortnightly, but there will be a pause in collections each year over Christmas. Coventry City Council said they will not be collecting those that are 'too heavy or have the incorrect types of waste in.'
What can I put in my brown-lidded bin?

• Food Waste
  
  
• Flowers
  
  
• Twigs and Bark
  
  
• Leaves
  
  
• Plants
  
  
• Weeds
  
  
• Shrub and Hedge Clippings
  
  
• Grass Cuttings

Residents who decide against their brown-lidded bin being collected will be able to return their existing bins, says Coventry City Council. Instead, they have been asked to take their garden waste to the Recycling and Disposal Centre off London Road.

Bosses at Coventry City Council announced that they would be charging for waste collections as part of plans to curb spending at a time when they say they are facing 'serious funding pressures.' Spending will this year likely exceed £867.8m.

A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “You can now apply and pay for the annual £40 charge for your brown-lidded bin collection permit online, over the phone or in person at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct.

“Sign up through our website at: https://orlo.uk/IqWjO, call 0808 5834 333 or pay in person using cash, cheque or card at the Customer Service Centre in Upper Precinct.”

[rebbonk]

Before anyone signs up to this 'service' I suggest they very carefully read the terms and conditions...