CHIEFS BROUGHT IN £59 CHARGE FOR GARDEN WASTE IN MAY

STOCKPORT council has received thousands of complaints about missed bin collections after a £59 garden waste charge was introduced in May.

- By DECLAN CAREY

The charge was brought in as part of the town hall's last budget, along with making blue bin collections for paper waste once a month rather than fortnightly as it was previously.

But the changes appear to have had an impact on bin collection rates, as well as the council seeing a 'slight' drop in recycling rates according to figures from a new report. The council said the changes don't seem to have led to 'significantly more material ending up in our black bins!

The issues were discussed during a meeting at the town hall last week.

Reports of missed bin collections peaked in June with 'around 2,300 cases' the council said, adding that the changes to bins 'caused some confusion among residents and required crews to work unfamiliar rounds.