We will be charging for the collection of garden waste from January 2024.
Like all local authorities, we are facing significant financial challenges. Faced with a significant budget deficit, limited government support and £10m of extra costs, councillors have agreed to a raft of savings and income generation measures that enabling the council to balance its books.
The council has already made some savings and used £1.7m of our reserves in the current financial year but needs to find further savings for the next financial year.
In this context a range of budget options for saving and income generation was approved by full Council in February 2023. One of these decisions is to introduce a charge for garden waste collections has been made in order to protect essential services.
We recognise the pressures on people’s household finances, so feel this is the fairer option for all residents as only those who use the service would be charged for it. The collection fees will enable the service to pay for itself, meaning any increase in operational costs in future years will not have to be funded through council tax.
Free disposal of garden waste will continue to be available at Colchester’s Household Recycling Centres, and the council will also work to encourage other options such as composting.
Garden waste collections will start in January 2024. Our aim is to launch sign up to the service in October 2023.
For further information please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
