Poole council's green bin charge plan deferred

Plans to to introduce a charge for garden waste collection in Poole have been deferred by the council.

The Conservative plan was defeated by one vote in favour of an amendment by the Liberal Democrats to defer the move while alternatives were considered.

The Lib Dems want a free scheme extended to a further 11,000 residents with collections every three weeks.

The green waste collection would be self-financing through money saved in landfill fees.

About 22,000 residents currently have their garden waste collected fortnightly for free.

'No viability'

The proposed Tory plan was to introduce a £31 annual charge and roll out green bins throughout the borough.

Lib Dem councillor Mike Brooke, who opposed the annual payment scheme, said: "The public are fed up of being charged, it's just another cash cow for this council.

"It is possible to produce a self-financing scheme where bins can be rolled out free of charge."

A ban on putting garden waste in regular black bins would be introduced, alongside the proposed kerbside green waste collection.

Residents opting out of the payment scheme would have to compost or take their garden waste to a waste recycling centre.

Conservative councillor Xena Dion said the deferment and alternative proposal was a disservice to local people.

She said: "This is politics at its worst, deferring a decision that is going to introduce a scheme that is fair and right for Poole based on a proposal that has absolutely no viability whatsoever."

The proposals will go back to the council's environment overview and scrutiny committee.