Conservative Group members on Cheshire East have formally challenged the Council's decision to introduce the highest charges in the North West

Cheshire East is to charge £56 a year for for Green Bin collection but the Conservative Group is submitting a 'Referral Request' (or 'Call-In') of the decision.

Although other councils charge for green waste collection, Cheshire East Council is unusual in that it invested in its own purpose-built green waste hub at Leighton Grange, to be operated with a business partner, they say.

"The business case was based on free home collections for maximum tonnage and the production of high-quality compost for sale," they say.

"No other viable alternatives have been brought forward by the administration for consideration by elected councillors and the income to be generated by the proposed charges, significantly exceeds the annual running costs of the green waste service.

"The green bin charge was proposed in the February Budget and only narrowly approved in a "yes/No' vote at the recent Environment and Communities Committee.

"Over 60% of respondents to the Budget Consultation did not support this proposal and there has been ongoing public opposition to the charge by many council tax payers.

"The 'Referral request', has been sent to the Council's Monitoring Officer within the five-day call-in period and his decision is awaited'."

If accepted, the decision will be reviewed at the next meeting of the full council.