BRAINTREE Council has postponed a decision on whether to introduce charges for household garden waste collection.

The council has been looking into the possibility of charging extra for green bin collections in the district.

The council says it is due to factors such as inflation, the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

But the proposal sparked a major backlash from the community.

In a poll run by The Times which received almost 900 responses, 92 per cent said they would not willing to pay for green bin collections.

Residents also expressed concerns over a possible increase in fly-tipping as a result.

The final decision was set to be made by council bosses at a cabinet meeting later this month.

But the council is now delaying the decision.

A council spokesperson said: "A decision on whether to charge for an opt in garden waste collection has been postponed allowing for more research to be undertaken.

"Members of Braintree Council had hoped to consider introducing a charge during a meeting of cabinet later this month.

"However, members have been asked to consider officer recommendations to review what impact introducing a charge could have to an existing legal agreement between Essex County Council and Braintree Council.

"Due to financial pressures that all councils face, Braintree Council is considering introducing a new paid for service to collect green waste across the district. 

"We will keep residents updated of decisions made when taken, via our usual communications channels."