Northamptonshire garden waste charge to be introduced

The changes have been brought in to all former councils districts of South Northamptonshire, Northampton and Daventry

Charges are to be brought in for the collection of garden waste to "harmonise" the system, a council has said.

West Northamptonshire Council said an annual fee of £42 will be introduced for all residents from 4 April.

The council's cabinet approved the change, after a review of the proposed changes was announced in November.

North Northamptonshire Council said it will consult on bringing in charges for all its residents.

The annual subscription charge for all West Northamptonshire residents, who opt in, will be set at £42 per year per bin for 2022/3

Conservative-run West Northamptonshire Council covers an area which includes the former council districts of South Northamptonshire, Northampton and Daventry.

Residents in the former Daventry District and Northampton Borough areas have paid for garden waste collections since 2018 and 2020 respectively.

The change means people living in the former South Northants Council area will pay for the opt-in system in a few weeks' time.

For North Northamptonshire residents only those living in the former East Northamptonshire district have to pay £55 to have their garden waste collected annually.

Anyone living in the Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough areas are not charged.

Conservative councillor Graham Lawman, its executive member for highways, travel and assets, said it was "still considering how best to harmonise the charging arrangements".

A consultation was due to start in the spring and it does not "intend to make any immediate changes" he added.

Residents have the option of purchasing a discounted home compost bin for £10, the council said

Mr Larratt, portfolio holder for climate, transport, highways and waste, for West Northants, said: "With the government requiring us to harmonise the services we inherited from the old councils, it's important we address the great disparity in how our residents currently receive garden waste collections to ensure the same, equal service for everyone.

"The chargeable garden waste service is already well established for residents in the Daventry and Northampton areas, but we realise that introducing this in the south area is a change from their current service arrangements.

The council will "support, guide and inform residents" in the run-up to the changes, he added.