MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL

COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

 

1 FEBRUARY 2022

 

REFERENCE FROM COUNCIL

 

 

MOTION – GARDEN WASTE BIN SERVICE

 

The following motion was moved by Councillor Harper, seconded by Councillor M Rose, at the ordinary meeting of the Council held on 8 December 2021:

 

The Garden Bin waste service is a popular one with residents, with a large number of Maidstone residents subscribing to this paid Maidstone Borough Council service.  However, as a result of Covid-19 and Brexit, the service is not being delivered as contracted with customers.

 

Residents pay for a fortnightly collection and this is supported by a yearly payment currently of £45.  The two weekly collection is clearly stated in the terms and conditions on the Council website.

 

Different residents are getting different messages.  Some have been individually notified by text as to the state of the service, other residents have negotiated for their contract payment to cover a period of 13 or more months, and others have had no contact from the Council as is evidenced by the level of complaints coming through.

 

The service is not running as it was until the middle of the year.  This is not good enough, a large number of people do not have space at home to compost garden waste, which will frequently include weeds etc.

 

This Council therefore resolves to:

 

1.   Make it clear to residents that the service is sporadic at the moment and the frequency will most likely be monthly.

2.   Receive a full report on what actions can be done to get the service back to the fortnightly collection which the Council contracts to deliver.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.5, the motion, having been moved and seconded, was referred to the Communities, Housing and Environment Committee.

 

A copy of the briefing note which was prepared to assist Members in their consideration of the motion is attached as Appendix A.

 

RECOMMENDED:  That the Committee consider the motion relating to the Garden Waste Bin Service.