(TO all councillors)

The council plans to charge £40 or £35 (if you are on the internet, not everyone is, many old people do not have a computer) each year to empty the green garden waste bin. This has already been paid for by council tax.

The council had a long-term contract to empty all bins with Amey. In the recycling guide issued with the council tax bill, we were told we’re in the top ten best recyclers in England.

I understand that the garden waste collected is made into compost which is then sold by the council; this is making profit for the council.

The council tax has been increased by two per cent, also a new charge for Adult Social Care Precept is added at three per cent – the total increase is five per cent.

Why not just add this extra £35 charge in with the total increase so the true increase can be seen instead of underhand stealth charges?

These charges are nothing to do with bin emptying, as all this extra charge goes to the council.

You say this charge is optional but if we have a lawn and shrubs in the garden that need tending on a regular basis as I have, it is no longer an option.

From November 2016 until March 2017, my green bin has not been put out once – do I get a £20 refund?

In my road, there are a number of trees which the council are responsible for.

However, when the leaves begin to fall, a few of the residents keep the gutter and grids clear of leaves etc, this is put into our green bin.

But this will cease to be done.

We will just phone the council and request you to clear this away – your mess.

I and many of my neighbours are very angry and believe you should think again about this charge.

If this goes ahead, which is the next bin the council will want residents to pay for?

You say we must put our bins out by 6.30am, which really means the night before, but what if someone else fills our bin with the wrong stuff – will it still be emptied?

Before you start charging for replacement bins make sure that the bins are put back where they were taken from by the collection crew and not left two or three houses down the road.

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