Sedgemoor District Council has this week defended its decision to increase charges for Burnham-On-Sea residents who use its garden waste bin collection service.
The council has this week announced an increase in the annual charge for ‘green bins’ from £48 a year to £53, an increase of £5 from the charge in 2015, and a £6.50 rise on the 2013 rate.
“Councillors decided that the charge for green waste bins should recover the full cost to Sedgemoor District Council which is £53. Basically, the council had been subsiding this discretionary service by not charging the full cost. i.e. council tax payers who did not choose to use the service would be helping to pay for the service,” said a spokswoman.
The council is inviting residents to sign up to garden waste collections in time for the spring and summer. The cost of £53 per year includes receive 25 collections a year from their homes.
“The scheme encourages residents not only to take pride in their gardens, but also to recycle their garden waste,” said spokeswoman Claire Faun.
“Customers signing up have the option of receiving a green wheelie bin for their garden waste or garden waste sacks at a cost of £26 for 10 bags. Letters have been sent to more than 10,000 current customers inviting them to renew their subscriptions, which start this month.”
“Having your garden waste collected can save time and fuel and can prevent mess in your car. Every bit of Sedgemoor’s garden waste is turned into Revive soil conditioner.”
“Alongside a garden waste collection, home composting is a great way to turn your clippings and pruning, plus fruit and vegetable peelings and even shredded cardboard, into free soil conditioner.”
For more details about ordering the collections, call Sedgemoor District Council on 0300 303 7800. Low-cost compost bins can be purchased through Somerset Waste Partnership at here.
