'We'll scrap garden waste charges," say Wolverhampton Tories

Wolverhampton’s opposition leader said a future Conservative administration would scrap the council’s charge for garden waste collections and cap rises to the council tax.

Councillor Simon Bennett said he would also launch a new business start-up relief scheme for new businesses, to bring empty buildings back into use. He also repeated his pledge to introduce free parking at evenings and weekends.

A £35 charge for garden waste collections was introduced by the council in 2018, rising to £38 in 2022. However, in February, the council increased the charge to £55 a year, sparking an angry response from Conservatives who branded it a ‘garden tax’. The Labour-run council has promised there will be no further rises until 2028.

Councillor Bennett said he would fund his proposals by cutting senior management costs, back-office staff and non-essential services.

“This is about offering residents a clear alternative,” he said.

“Lower council tax, better services, and a council that focuses on the basics.

“Labour’s approach is to push taxes up to the limit and then ask residents to pay extra on top, including for things like garden waste. We don’t think that’s right.

“And on the Garden Tax, we’re clear: it shouldn’t exist at all. It’s an extra charge on households that people simply don’t accept.”