Decision details

To increase the green waste permits by £1 (in line with inflation) to £37 per annum with effect from 1 February 2014.  To offer a discount of £2 for residents who renew their annual subscription ahead of the renewal date.  To offer a £2 discount for the period 1 February 2014 to 31 May 2014 for residents who apply to the scheme for the first time.

The green waste scheme was set up in 2011 and the charge of £36 was set at this time.  Since then the charges have not risen but periodically discounts have been offered to encourage take up of the scheme.  In the budget papers for 2013/14 (paragraph 5.5) it indicated that the charges would be frozen for the 2013 calendar year but may be reviewed after this period.  Ubico currently deliver the contract to collect the garden waste and CBC administers the application and renewal permits scheme.  Given increases in RPI over this period it is proposed to increase the costs in line with inflation.  This will mean that a permit is £37 per annum with effect from 1 February 2014 which is the beginning of the renewal year.  However residents who chose to renew before their renewal date will be offered a £2 discount.  In addition the council will offer a £2 discount for any new applications between 1 February and 31 May as a way of encouraging increased take up of the scheme.

The reason for increasing prices in line with inflation is to meet the additional costs of providing the service which include increases in fuel costs, salary and pension costs and administrative overheads.  The income generated by the rise will be around £13000 based on the current take up of the scheme, and this additional income will be accounted for within the budget setting for 2014/15.

The garden waste scheme diverts green waste from landfill and saves the cost of landfill tax.  Residents who choose not to participate in the scheme can use the council’s household recycling site at the Swindon Road Depot or the county council site at Wingmore Farm.

The council could have maintained the costs at the current level but this would not reflect the additional costs which the council has to bear in relation to price inflation.  The council could choose to not offer discounts but these have been successful in the past and save administrative overhead in chasing late renewals.

The Cabinet Member Sustainability, the Cabinet Member Finance, and the Section 151 officer have all been consulted on the proposed increase.