Dear Dan Gascoyne

I am writing because a petition has been running on our website relating to green bin charges.  The petition has now closed and was signed by 2661 people but unfortunately green bin charges are not within our remit.  We have clarified the identity of the district to whom Mr Sowerby wishes to direct his petition and he is concerned about Braintree DC’s proposals.   (I imagine you will be aware that Colchester CC are introducing similar charges).

I have therefore agreed with Mr Sowerby – the lead petitioner -  that I would write to you about the petition and ask you to respond to Mr Sowerby directly.

The petition says

“ Reconsider their proposal to impose a standard charge for the collection of green waste within the community.  This facility has been embraced and funded by the Council Tax since 2002, and we see no reason why this additional charge should now be imposed. Everybody is facing higher bills, mortgage repayments are increasing, as are rents, food price inflation, energy costs and fuel etc., We request the local council continues to lobby Central Government to ensure that they maintain the level of support they are obliged to.”

You can view it here:  Petitions > Green Bin Charge (essex.gov.uk)

My view is that with hindsight it would possibly have been better if ECC had not have accepted the petition itself and I was not aware that we had done so until very recently, but nevertheless the petition does require a response from your authority. 

I suggest that you write to Mr Sowerby directly.   If you would like us to publish the response on the petitions page of our website we would on this occasion be happy to do so.

Kind regards

Paul Turner