Rossendale Council is to introduce charges for green waste collections

A report into the charges was debated at full council with council voting to bring in the additional charges fr residents.

Council bosses said it was part of an on-going package of measures to deal with cuts to the borough’s funding from both the Government and Lancashire County Council, which has cut its ‘cost share’ payment, which supports recycling services by more than £500,000.

The decision to charge for collections comes after a cross party working group looked at options on the future of the service.

Rossendale Council was one of the last councils in Lancashire to provide a free garden waste collection service.

Green waste collection is non-statutory service and costs the council £130,000 a year. The service was so popular that the council has had to put in extra resources at times to maintain it, council bosses said.

Cllr Jackie Oakes, portfolio holder for operations, said: "The Council has had to look at different options because of the tough financial challenges we are faced with.

"This is certainly not something we would want to do in normal circumstances but the reduction of funding from both Lancashire County Council and the Government leaves us with little choice.

"It was a difficult decision and one that was not taken lightly.

"I am pleased though that all parties of the council have had mature discussions about this and looked at every option in detail.

"I would like to stress though that Rossendale Council is not doing this to make money.

"It is simply the only way we can keep it sustainable in the future and is also about making sure we deliver an efficient service to the people living in our borough."