AFTER new waste management strategy was given the green light at a cabinet meeting of Cheshire West and Chester council last week, one proposed change caused much anger and debate.

As part of the new strategy, there will be a £40 annual charge for collecting green garden waste, with all changes likely to remain in place for at least the next three years.

With many looking at the new charge, which equates to around £2 per collection, as yet another form of tax, several councillors said it wasn't and that there is no statutory requirement for the council to collect green waste.

However, the new £40 charge will be an optional service the council say, with those living in properties without gardens able to opt out of having to pay for it.

Guardian readers from both Northwich and Winsford have re-acted angrily to the news, with many saying the new charge is unfair and how it could lead to more fly tipping.

David Mulder said: "It will cause an increase in fly tipping, or some people under cover of darkness will fill any green bins causing bad feeling."

Sharon Oakes commented: "So if we refuse to pay it and give up the green bin, take our waste direct to the tip, which we already pay for in our council tax, what then?"

Cheryl Cook Hanwell said: "I'm sure that the vast majority were opposed to this so why bother asking us to fill in a survey if they were just going to do what they wanted anyway?"

Robert Hirskyj said: "4.99 per cent tax increase again and now £40 to provide a service most councils do for free.

"Fly tipping, burning and putting it in the black bin is what is going to happen."

Chris Reiki commented: "Fly tipping and bonfires, affecting those who do pay or those who take their waste to the tip."

James Smith said he won't be paying the charge but will instead carry out more composting at home.

Sheena Beech said: "I used to live in Cheshire West until two years ago.

"I now live in North Wales and was staggered when we first moved that garden waste collection was chargeable but seems many councils have been doing this for more than three years."

Carol Hodson said: "Both me and my husband are in our late 70's but because he gets a small private pension it takes us over the limit so we can't get any benefits.

"We pay almost £110 a week for a tiny council bungalow then a lot more a month council tax.

"Now we are expected to pay even more."

Samantha Finney said: "It's a garden tax. Pure and simple.

"And of course, lets not forget the maximum 4.99 per cent council tax rise that they so kindly dumped on us too.

"I can't help but feel that us Winsford residents are being ripped off by the current council and I am frankly sick of it."

Emma Dunning said: "People who have small gardens will just fill up their household waste bins with the small amount they have."

Carolyn Hicks said: "The council tax rise is a big burden to everyone and is way over inflation rates, this is so wrong when people are out of work or on pay freezes.

"Whatever I cant compost will be going in the black bin."

Karl Jones commented: "Unfortunately it was always coming.

"We are fortunate that the council have been a little slow on this charge."

Ruth Hatton said: "So once again pensioners and people on low incomes are going to struggle to choose between food or paying to have their garden waste removed.

"£40 a year might not seem much to the local council but with other prices rising this is going to be a struggle for some.

"Also it will probably lead in more fly tipping from some folk."