Consultation on garden waste collections extended in Wiltshire

There is still time for people to have their say on the proposed changes to the kerbside garden waste collection service as the consultation has been extended.

More than 11,000 people have already responded giving their views on what is proving to be one of the most successful consultations the council has ever run.

A number of parish councils have requested the extension to the consultation period to make sure people who have been away over the summer, have the chance to have their say. Toby Sturgis, cabinet member responsible for waste management said, “The council faces significant financial pressures with reduced funding from central government, increased service demand and inflation, and these pressures are likely to increase. We need to consider  all possible savings to help the council deliver its priorities of protecting vulnerable people, boosting the local economy and bringing communities together.”

The council currently delivers a fortnightly non-chargeable kerbside garden waste collection service to those residents who request it. The proposed changes are:

A three month suspension of the non-chargeable kerbside garden waste service with no collections taking place in December, January and February

A five month suspension of the non-chargeable kerbside garden waste service with no collections taking place in November, December, January, February and March

To introduce a chargeable kerbside garden waste collection service instead of the current non-chargeable service

Residents are asked to pick the one option which best meets their needs.

People can find out more information and contribute to the consultation:

• online by visiting the council’s website and following the link to public consultations • online at their local library • by picking up a leaflet from their local library, leisure centre, council office or town council office

Consultation documents and information are available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations

Should people have any further questions they can contact the council by emailing gardenwasteconsultation@wiltshire.gov.uk or by telephoning 0300 456 0102.

No decisions have been made yet and the council’s cabinet will discuss the consultation response and the three potential options for change in November.