Liberal Democrats at Redcar & Cleveland Council are calling on the Labour leadership to guarantee that there will be no charges for garden waste collections in the area. 

The council needs to make savings to balance the budget and it has emerged that charges for green waste collection is one of the policies being considered. 

Lib Dem Cllr Tristan Learoyd, who represents the St Germains ward of Marske, will demand a commitment to no charges from the council’s Labour leadership at the next meeting on 28 September. 

Cllr Learoyd said: 

“Due to the Conservative Government starving councils of funds the Liberal Democrats understand that savings have to be made and council income has to be increased. 

“But introducing charges for garden waste collection would punish residents for doing the right thing. It would lead to garden waste going in the general waste bins and increase the problem of fly-tipping. 

“I will be asking the council’s Labour leadership for a firm commitment to not discourage actions which make our environment better.” 

Ormesby Councillor Carole Morgan, who leads the Liberal Democrat Group on the council, added: 

“The Labour Group made a commitment to not introduce charges just after the election. We must hold them to that.”