A NEW scheme to deal with garden waste in East Hampshire involving 12-month "tax discs" for green sacks was put forward at a special meeting on Monday.
People could now face an annual charge of £12 to take part in the new waste collection initiative.
But the idea was shot down by many people, who claimed it would act as a deterrent to recycling. Petersfield's Age Concern chairman, Elsa Bulmer, said it would be "just another tax for people to pay".
The invitation-only meeting was called by East Hampshire District Council to deal with fierce objections received from dozens of residents.
People who had written letters of objection to the district council or local newspapers were invited to discuss the controversial proposals.
Complaints started to arrive at EHDC as soon it was announced that, from last October, garden waste would no longer be collected in the green wheeled bins. Charges for green sacks were criticised by many and the proposals were described as unfair on the elderly and disadvantaged.
In response, the district council announced that the scheme would be made free to people on housing benefit or council tax relief. This and other proposals will be considered by the council at a special meeting on December 18.
At Monday night's meeting EHDC chief executive Philip Burton said he realised from the start that the garden waste proposals would cause controversy.
"It is a major problem for us. We have a major role to play in organising the collection of waste. We also have to meet the targets set out by the government for recycling."
The latest scheme, which would be introduced in two phases from May and September next year, involves a £12 charge for a green sack 'tax disc'.
The non-transferable disc would include details of the household taking part in the scheme and would be fixed to the front of the sack.
Concerns raised, which were all recorded, included the size of the sacks and the question of whether the disc could be stolen.
Buriton resident Mick Ayling claimed the scheme would act as a deterrent for people to recycle.
Last week EHDC's cabinet met to discuss measures to help some people dispose of their garden waste.
As well as a free collection for people on benefit, the council is also proposing to extend alternate collection of household waste and recycling from the 1,600 pilot homes in the north and south of the district to the whole of East Hampshire.
Under the pilot scheme, householders receive a waste collection every week alternating between recyclable and other waste.