CHESHIRE East council is asking for views on brown bin collections in the winter months after residents were outraged last year when the bins were left for six months.


The council has launched a consultation to find the best time to start the seasonal shutdown of the brown bin garden waste collections and Middlewich ward members are calling for a different approach this time around.


Clr Mike Parsons, Cheshire East ward member for Middlewich, said: “I made my feelings known last year and I’ve said again this year that there needs to be a November collection and start again in February.


“Cheshire East have asked the councillors for their opinions I have said ‘for heavens don’t do what you did last year’ because it was a money saving exercise and it ended up costing more for landfill costs.”


“All kinds of inconvenience was caused last year and I am trying to stop Cheshire East council from even considering it again.”


The consultation, which will run until Wednesday, July 23, follows a full public apology made by the Council after suspending brown bin collections between the months of October 2013 and March this year.


Residents complained claiming they still required the brown bins when collections were suspended in October.


The council says it acknowledges that it got it wrong and are now urging residents to take part in the consultation to ensure the issue is not repeated for the 2014/2015 autumn winter period.


David Topping, cabinet portfolio holder, said: “Shutting down the garden waste service over the coldest months of the year makes complete sense because demand at this time of year is low and the shutdown reduces carbon emissions.


“The policy is designed to ensure efficient use of council resources and, of course, save money.
“The consultation is all about getting the views of our residents and putting them first.”


The consultation will encourage residents to consider and put forward their opinions on which is the best time to shut down the service, the length of the shutdown and what is the best way to get the message out to them.


To take part in the consultation and give feedback, visit www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/consultations.


For those residents who do not have internet access at home, they can complete a survey at their local library or customer service centre.


Residents who normally purchase additional garden waste bins will not be asked to pay for their bin until after the consultation.