Fareham council proposes charging for garden waste collection to cover £336,000 in costs

GARDEN waste collection in Fareham may no longer be free to residents, as the authority looks to introduce a charge after losing more than £400,000 in income to the county council.
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At present more than 40 per cent of households dispose of their garden waste through free plastic sacks distributed by the council.

But Hampshire County Council is due to retain the income generated by material recycling – leaving Fareham with a £400,000 black hole in its budget.

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Now, in order to meet the shortfall, the borough council is proposing a £1.48 charge a week – dropping to £1.15 in subsequent years – for a 240 litre garden waste bin, which would have three times the capacity of the plastic sacks.

Fareham Borough Council is proposing introducing a new garden waste bin at a fee to residents - replacing its free service. Stock picture: Alison BagleyFareham Borough Council is proposing introducing a new garden waste bin at a fee to residents - replacing its free service. Stock picture: Alison Bagley
Fareham Borough Council is proposing introducing a new garden waste bin at a fee to residents - replacing its free service. Stock picture: Alison Bagley
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Executive member for streetscene at Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Simon Martin, said: ‘We understand some residents may be disappointed to lose the free garden waste service however, as we face both the financial impact of the pandemic, and the ongoing need to replace lost income, we have had to look at new ways to bring in revenue to protect our vital services.

‘We think the proposed new subscription service offers a good deal for gardeners and is the fairest option because only those using the service would be asked to pay.

‘For those not wanting to pay there is the alternative of using their local free Household Waste Recycling Centre or buying a composter, which are available for £19 from Hampshire County Council.’

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But the proposal could lead to a rise in bonfires to burn the waste, according to Councillor Leslie Keeble, who sits on the Streetscene scrutiny panel.

He said: ‘A lot of people wouldn’t want to look out at another bin at the front of their house, and a lot of elderly people will have problem moving the bins.

‘I’m also worried that people will start to burn their garden waste. ‘

If approved, the creation of the chargeable garden waste scheme would require more than £300,000 being spent on bin purchases and setting up the scheme in its first year.

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The current garden waste service would terminate at the end December 2021, with the new service up and running in February 2022.

The proposal will be decided at a meeting of the council’s executive on Monday, October 12.

Winchester City Council, which covers Denmead, Bishop’s Waltham, Swanmore and Wickham, is changing to a similar scheme. It will charge residents £39 a year for a 140-litre bin, or £59 a year for a 240-litre bin, starting on February 1 next year.

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