Waste could be costly for gardeners

Councillors have backed a proposal which means that garden waste collections in the Ryedale district will continue – if residents are willing to pay for them.

Ryedale District Council says many other local authorities already charge for the service and the decision means residents will be able to choose whether to opt-in or out of the service.

Regular waste collections will not be affected by the move.

Members of the council, faced with budget cuts from the Government, have backed the move which will see an annual fee of £27 for each garden refuse bin to be emptied, from next June.

Phil Long, the council’s head of environment said: “Introducing a charge for this discretionary service means the council will be better able to maintain delivery of other essential services.”

It costs the council £285,730 a year to collect garden waste.