Further Extension of Garden Waste Registration Deadline
Early Bird discount has been extended until March 31st
Councillors at Hounslow Council have decided to further extend a ten per cent discount for early subscribers to the new garden waste service until 31 March.
The moves comes following concerns that there was not wide enough awareness among residents of this boroughwide service change.
As well as the discount extension, every resident will receive details of the new service and how they can sign up with their annual council tax bill. Bills will posted from 10 March.
Residents now have until Thursday 31 March to receive a ten per cent discount on garden waste collection charges, which come into effect on 4 April when the current free service ends.
Unless you sign up to pay the £50 annual charge, the collection will automatically stop on April 4th.
Residents who subscribe to the new, fortnightly service will pay an annual subscription of £50 for a fixed year period (4 April to 31 March 2017). Anyone receiving council tax support will pay £25 covering the same period.
Residents can subscribe to the service by completing a form online.
Garden waste bins will be delivered at the end of March along with a collection calendar and more details about the service.
Residents who sign up after 1 October will pay £30, for the period until 31 March, or £15 if in receipt of council tax support.
Most households will be provided with a new, brown 240 litre wheelie bin. If you do not have space for a bin, or have difficulty using one, you can apply to use two 90 litre reusable sacks.
Hounslow Council says the system is fairer because not every resident uses garden waste collections yet they all pay it through Council tax. The new tax means only those who want garden waste collected will pay.
The alternative, should you not wish to pay for the service, or not be able to afford it, is to compost garden waste or take it to Space Waye Reuse and Recycle Centre, Pier Road, Feltham, or to civic amenities sites in neighbouring boroughs.
The changes, which were agreed by councillors in September, are being introduced to help the council save money and protect essential services. At present, every household pays for garden waste collections through their council tax – whether they use it or not. The new service means those who want their garden waste collected will have to pay.
As part of the service changes, the council is offering a free composter, usually worth around £20, to households who wish to compost their garden waste at home. This limited offer is on a first come, first served basis.
Councillor Amrit Mann, Deputy Leader of Hounslow Council, said: “Residents have said they have been having difficulty getting through on our dedicated garden waste hotline. “We’re sorry if you’ve had problems when trying to call, this is testament to how popular the service is.
“The quickest and easiest way to subscribe to the garden waste service is online by completing our e-form. There’s also lots of useful information about the service changes, with alternative ways to get rid of your garden waste if you don’t want to subscribe, on our website.”
For those residents who do not have access to the internet, they can call the garden waste hotline number on 020 8583 2060, Monday to Friday from 5-7.30pm until 4 March. The number of staff managing this line has been increased but if lines are busy please call back later.
Residents can also call the council’s customer call centre on 020 8583 5555 during office hours. (There may be longer waiting times when calling this number.)
March 9, 2016
