Have your say
Bury Council is consulting on the possible introduction of a subscription charge for garden waste collections.
No decision has been made. The consultation gives residents, businesses and community organisations the opportunity to share their views before any future decision is considered.
What is being proposed?
The Council is considering introducing an annual subscription charge for garden waste collections using the existing brown bin service.
Under the proposal, households that wish to continue receiving a garden waste collection service would pay an annual subscription charge.
Food waste collections would continue to be available to all households, regardless of whether they subscribe to the proposed garden waste service.
No decision has been made and the proposal is currently subject to public consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Council considering this proposal?
The Council is facing significant financial challenges and is considering a range of options to help balance future budgets while continuing to provide essential services.
Garden waste collection is a discretionary service, meaning councils are permitted to charge for it. Many councils across the country already operate chargeable garden waste schemes.
The proposal is being considered as one way of generating income to help support the Council's financial position and protect essential services.
Has a decision already been made?
No.
This is currently a proposal only and no decision has been made.
The Council is seeking views through a public consultation before elected Members consider whether to proceed with the proposal.
What is the proposed annual charge?
The proposal being consulted on assumes an annual charge of approximately £50 per brown bin.
The figure has been used for consultation and financial planning purposes and helps residents understand the proposal being considered.
No final charge has been approved and any future charge would be subject to a separate decision by the Council.
Why should I pay a charge when I already pay Council Tax?
Council Tax helps fund a wide range of services, including adult social care, children's services, highways, environmental services, libraries, parks and other local services.
Garden waste collection is not a service that councils are legally required to provide.
The consultation seeks views on whether residents who choose to use the garden waste collection service should make a direct contribution towards the cost of providing it.
When would the proposed changes take effect?
If approved, the proposed subscription service would be introduced in 2028.
Residents would be given information about how the scheme would operate before any changes were introduced.
Will food waste collections continue?
Yes. Food waste collections would continue to be available to all households, whether or not they subscribe to the proposed garden waste collection service.
Residents would continue to use their brown bin for food waste.
What happens if I choose not to subscribe?
If the proposal is approved and you choose not to subscribe, your garden waste would no longer be collected as part of the kerbside collection service.
You would still be able to:
Compost garden waste at home.
Take garden waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Continue to use your brown bin for food waste collections.
Would every household have to subscribe?
No.
The proposed service would be optional. Only households that wish to receive garden waste collections would need to subscribe.
Households that choose not to subscribe would continue to have access to food waste collections and other waste and recycling services provided by the Council.
How would I pay?
If the proposal is approved, information about payment options, subscriptions and renewals would be provided before the scheme is introduced.
Would concessions or discounts be available?
No decisions have been made regarding discounts or concessions.
Feedback received through the consultation will help inform future decisions about the design of any scheme.
Will this increase fly tipping?
The Council recognises that some residents may have concerns about fly-tipping.
Evidence from many local authorities that have introduced garden waste subscription services does not show a consistent increase in fly-tipping, although circumstances vary between areas.
The Council will consider all consultation feedback and potential impacts before any decision is made.
How would the Council know who has subscribed?
Households that subscribe would receive a permit, such as a sticker or similar identifier, to display on their brown bin.
Collection crews would use permit information and Council records to identify households subscribed to the service.
I live in a flat or apartment with a shared garden. How would the scheme work?
The Council recognises that some properties have communal gardens, shared waste facilities or other arrangements that may require a different approach.
These circumstances will be considered as part of the consultation and any future service design.
What if I maintain a community garden, park, church grounds or other public open space?
The Council recognises the valuable contribution made by community groups, volunteers and environmental organisations.
Feedback from these groups is welcomed and will help inform any future consideration of the proposal.
Will I need a different bin?
No. Residents would continue to use their existing brown bin. There would be no requirement for a separate garden waste container.
Are other councils charging for garden waste collections?
Yes. Many local authorities across England operate chargeable garden waste collection services, including several neighbouring councils.
What benefits could the proposal provide?
If introduced, the proposal could:
Generate income to help support Council services.
Reduce pressure on the Council's budget.
Help protect other services from future reductions.
Provide a more sustainable way of funding a discretionary service.
What will happen after the consultation closes?
Once the consultation has ended, all responses will be reviewed and considered.
Elected Members will then decide whether the proposal should proceed.
Any feedback received through the consultation will form part of the information considered before a final decision is made.
Key Facts
- No decision has been made on whether to introduce a chargeable garden waste collection service.
- Food waste collections would continue to be available to all households.
- Residents would continue to use their existing brown bin.
- Only households choosing to receive garden waste collections would pay a subscription charge.
- The consultation feedback will help inform any future decision.
- Residents are encouraged to have their say before the consultation closes.