Garden Waste

[PaulSB]

we just talking grass cutting and hedge trimming, not exactly needing a pro for that

Plumber - it's only a new tap not exactly needing a pro for that

Electrician - it's only a wall socket not exactly needing a pro for that

 

[PaulSB]

I didn't used to have kids. I used to pony up for schools. There's a level at which it's a civic amenity that benefits all.

There's a level at which certain things are a statutory duty and if the funding doesn't stretch to non- statutory services those will ultimately be cut.

Children's education versus grass clipping removal? Not really a choice is it.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

There's a level at which certain things are a statutory duty and if the funding doesn't stretch to non- statutory services those will ultimately be cut.

Children's education versus grass clipping removal? Not really a choice is it.

Of course it's about priorities. Our Council has elected to spend many many millions on a major redevelopment/building programme in the main town centre. I dearly hope that the sums still add up/make sense, because I worry about their decision to prioritise building cinemas and restaurants (for that's what it is) over service delivery. Meanwhile, their local business rates are squeezing local shops to the point of closure.

BTW my example was a bad one, because schools are not part of local council funding, they are County-funded, but you understand the point.

 

[jowwy]

There are two points about this. In a decade when local authority funding has had to become more focused the LAs have to prioritise spending.

Secondly why should someone without a garden subsidise removal of your garden waste. I pay £35pa for 25 collections. Anyone who doesn't live next door to the LA recycling centre couldn't do it for less.

i pay for schools and social care within my council tax, i dont use those services.........we pay for street lighting, but they dont get switched on, i pay for the roads to be salted, but mine doesnt as its not a bus route and the list goes on and on and on and on.......

 

[jowwy]

Plumber - it's only a new tap not exactly needing a pro for that

Electrician - it's only a wall socket not exactly needing a pro for that

do both those myself......sorry but grass cutting doesnt warrant a pro and neither does trimming a few bushes

 

[Bonefish Blues]

i pay for schools and social care within my council tax, i dont use those services.........we pay for street lighting, but they dont get switched on, i pay for the roads to be salted, but mine doesnt as its not a bus route and the list goes on and on and on and on.......

Not schools, as I clarified above, but I agree with your point.

We have neither street lights nor salt!

 

[jowwy]

any way as per usual we diverse away from the thread......lets not argue about what our council tax, taxes are paid for

 

[jowwy]

Not schools, as I clarified above, but I agree with your point.

We have neither street lights nor salt!

free school meals comes from local authority budget, council tax goes towards it

 

[jowwy]

Personally i think £45 per hour for grass and bush cutting is extertionate........as for removal, bag it and take it the refuse centre in the car. People moan about not having enough money for gas/electric/food etc etc...and then we get these prices showing up for what is a non professional service.

Just my opinion

 

[Bonefish Blues]

free school meals comes from local authority budget, council tax goes towards it

Someone wise said let's not argue about what our Council Tax is for, I thought.

And then did

 

[jowwy]

Someone wise said let's not argue about what our Council Tax is for, I thought.

And then did

agreed but i wrote the one, posted it and then answered your reply afterwards lol

 

[Alex321]

ETA
It's presumably a Statutory Service (I guess) but can be funded separately to the CT.

No, Garden Waste collection is not a statutory service, which is why many councils charge for it, and why it is the first one to be hit when they have driver shortages.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

No, Garden Waste collection is not a statutory service, which is why many councils charge for it, and why it is the first one to be hit when they have driver shortages.

I am obliged

 

[a.twiddler]

Fortnightly garden waste collection (even after we've trimmed shrubs and hedges as long as it was all cut down so it went into the appropriate bin) was paid through normal Council Tax up to this year. Will be charging an additional £40 p.a. from next Feb. Since Mrs T has been an avid gardener for over 30 years we've got our money's worth. Certainly as part of an effective refuse collection and recycling regime they've done very well to contain the costs up to now.

 

[Alex321]

There are two points about this. In a decade when local authority funding has had to become more focused the LAs have to prioritise spending.

Secondly why should someone without a garden subsidise removal of your garden waste. I pay £35pa for 25 collections. Anyone who doesn't live next door to the LA recycling centre couldn't do it for less.

You could equally argue why should a single person who only has enough recycling to put out once every few weeks subsidise a large family who have several bags each week?

Council Tax is not paid on the basis of usage, and nor should it be. As a reasonably well-off couple with no kids at home, we use far less of the council budget than many families do, but that doesn't mean I should pay less council tax.