£30 too much? (From Witney Gazette)

£30 too much?

2:11pm Thursday 16th March 2006 in Witney By Maddy Biddulph

MORE West Oxfordshire households are needed to sign up for a new organic recycling service or the cost of running the initiative could fall on the taxpayer.

West Oxfordshire District Council needs 4,000 properties to join the £30-a-year fortnightly doorstep collection of green waste, which starts in April.

The move follows a successful five-month trial of 800 homes in Long Hanborough, Witney, Freeland, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Combe, Woodstock, Eynsham, Finstock, and Charlbury. But so far, only about 2,000 residents have requested an application pack for the scheme.

WODC spokesman, Carys Davies, said the council had started targeting households directly with advertisement labels on wheelie bins, in a bid to increase the numbers.

She said: "With only a month to go, we are expecting places to be in high demand.

"Places are limited, so we are urging residents to sign up as soon as possible."

"Places are limited, so we are urging residents to sign up as soon as possible."

WODC spokesman Carys Davies

Council leader, Barry Norton, said: "The response from all those who took part in the trial has been excellent, as the majority have signed up again.

"Applications from householders from other parts of the district are coming in steadily. I am sure this will increase as spring approaches."

But the scheme has once again come under fire from Liberal Democrat leader, Margaret Stevens, who has repeatedly called for it to be free.

She said she was concerned the £30 charge would discourage people from applying to the scheme. She said: "The number of houses signed up is still not enough to make it work properly.

"They need 4,000 to make the figures balance for the financial year.

"People do want to recycle, but this proves that people are not prepared to pay for it."

Households can also sign up their neighbours, and be entered into a prize draw to win an energy-efficient kitchen appliance.

For more information, call 01993 861020, or visit the website www.westoxon.gov.uk