‘Unfair to talk about increases’ as council issues garden waste price warning

Brown-lid bin charges have just been introduced, but Coventry City Council is already warning of future price rises for their garden waste disposal service – and Coventry Live readers aren’t happy with the timing.

An annual permit fee of £40 promises fortnightly collections between June 1 and May 31, and residents must display a sticker on the bin to show who paid. Collections are fortnightly, with a Christmas break, and thousands of people have already signed up to the new scheme which started this week.

Coventry City Council said the current tariff for the brown-lid bin service is “subject to possible annual increases in line with charges and fees”, meaning the price of the annual permit could rise from next year. The council said any increase would be communicated in advance – but readers in our comments section are already less than impressed.

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Reader Armyofall warns: “Mass more fly flips here we go… At least the biodegradable eh…”

Commenter Dragonfly84 says they are one of the people caught up in the collection issues being addressed by the Council this week. “Unbelievable! They are already planning to take more money even though I paid this year’s fee, attached the sticker, took it off last night but they didn’t pick it up today! WHAT EXACTLY AM I PAYING FOR?”

TomO writes: “Most unfair to talk about an increase in the very first week it was introduced. A flat rate tax with no consideration for those struggling with the daily cost of living.”

Greenplanet agrees: “Completely inappropriate of Coventry Council to announce imminent annual price increases before this bin service starts.”

Ymee says Coventry is not the first to charge for garden waste: “Why do people think everything is going to be free from cradle to grave, councils have been charging for years, they’re not charities.”

Coventry City Council has urged people to sign up for the new city-wide service, which has been introduced in a bid to cut costs at a time of “financial pressures”. Anyone wishing to sign up for brown cap waste collection can pay at the Customer Service Center in the Upper Precinct or by calling 08085 834333.

Have you signed up for the new green waste collection service? What was your experience with it? Comment below and join the conversation.