SENIOR politicians in Wrexham have backed a controversial move to introduce a charge of £25 to collect garden waste, despite warnings it could ‘alienate’ taxpayers.

The local authority’s ruling independent and Conservative coalition also approved around £1.4 million worth of cuts at a special meeting held on Tuesday.

Council leader Mark Pritchard said his administration had been left with little choice other than to bring the proposals forward sooner than usual in light of ongoing reductions to its settlement from the Welsh Government.

However, opposition councillors spoke out against the introduction of an annual fee for green bins, which has been met with anger by some residents.

Liberal Democrat group leader Alun Jenkins said people would be unwilling to pay the extra amount.

He said: “What I really do want to object to today is the proposals for environment.

“I talk to people out there who say to me that the council are charging more money every year and all they get for it is the bins.

“We’re now telling them that we’re going to charge for the green bin.

“If we don’t collect the green bins then people are going to put their green waste into black bins and it goes to landfill and we get penalised because we’re not meeting targets.

“I just think we’re going to alienate the public completely if we go ahead with this particular proposal.”

Executive board members said the charge was being explored in a bid to raise half a million pounds for the cash-strapped authority.

Wrexham Council considered a similar move during its last budget setting process but chose not to pursue the option.

It was brought back to the table as it faces the prospect of making cuts of approximately £10m by 2022.

Cllr David A Bithell, lead member for environment, said he was comfortable with bringing in the fee, which has already been imposed in other areas, including neighbouring Flintshire where residents currently pay £30 a year.

He said: “What I would say is green bins are a discretionary service.

“I know a lot of people might not think that, they think their council tax is to pay for green bin collections, neighbouring authorities have done that and it’s part of our cost recovery policy.

“I do note some of the issues you’ve raised about fly tipping.

“We want people to take up the offer to have their garden waste collected at the kerbside.

“Alternatively, if people don’t want to pay the charge then that’s their choice and at our three civic amenity sites, they can take that free of charge.”

Labour councillor Frank Hemmings challenged the administration to cap the charge at £25 for the next few years.

While he did not make a commitment, Cllr Pritchard said it was a possibility that would be considered.

At the end of the debate, executive board members unanimously approved the fee for green bins, along with the wider cuts.

It is expected that the new payment system will be introduced from next spring.