Wirral Council introduces charge to remove garden waste

Charges to remove garden waste are to be introduced by Wirral Council as the authority tries to save £109m over the next three years.

From 1 June, households will be charged £35 a year to have the bins emptied every fortnight, the council said.

The move is not compulsory, but households that do not subscribe will have to remove the garden waste themselves.

The plans will affect about 125,000 households across the borough.

Councillor Brian Kenny, Wirral Council cabinet member for environment, said: "We are conscious that this is a service many households in the borough do not receive as they don't generate garden waste.

"In light of this and the current financial challenges Wirral Council faces, we have had to take the difficult decision to introduce a charge to those who wish to continue to have their garden waste collected.

"At £35 for a year, it amounts to around £1.50 per collection, which we think it is good value for money."

The authority is also axing 350 posts and has asked staff to take five days of unpaid leave a year, as well as making cuts to social care as it tries to reduce costs.