POOLE’S cabinet has decided not to extend the garden waste service and to increase the cost by an inflationary 2.6 per cent.

A proposal to extend the fortnightly green bin kerbside service from 38 weeks to 44 and hike the charge from £31 to £36.80 was rejected by Borough of Poole’s environment and overview scrutiny committee.

It recommended an inflationary increase of 80p and no extension of a service which chairman Cllr Tony Trent said there should be consultation on or “something that provides evidence it’s needed”.

Cllr Xena Dion, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, accused colleagues of being “more concerned about votes than about doing the right thing” when they deferred the issue in September.

Now cabinet has agreed the committee’s recommendation to stick to 38 weeks and to offer a final early registration discount this year of 5 per cent – £1.60.

Cllr Mike White, pictured left, deputy council leader, said: “The 2.6 per cent increase is in line with recommendations to Cabinet from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

“There does seem to be interest in extending the period of the current green bin scheme, but we would want to consult more fully on this before considering going ahead.”

Residents can register from Monday for the 2015 service and receive a discounted rate of £30.20.

Registrations received after midnight on November 30 will be charged the standard price of £31.80. Anyone with an Access to Leisure and Learning Card will still be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on the first bin ordered, making the service just £15.90.

More than 21,800 green bins were registered in 2014 allowing more than 6,000 tonnes of garden waste to be recycled since the start of this year’s service in March.

For more information and to apply online visit boroughofpoole.com/gardenwaste or contact 01202 261700.