A cash-strapped council has refused to rule out imposing a charge on householders for the collection of garden green waste.

Liberal Democrat Tristan Learoyd asked if Redcar and Cleveland Council would commit to not putting a charge on collecting residents’ green waste collections during the next four years of the current administration.

But at a meeting, Councillor Adam Brook, the cabinet member for neighbourhoods and housing, said it could not.

Darlington and Stockton Times: Redcar and Cleveland Council and (inset) green waste collection bins

He said: “As all members are aware this council is facing significant financial pressures and needs to consider all options available to help deliver a balanced budget.”

Cllr Brook said there was an upcoming member conference where councillors could have an input into proposed financial measures which could be potentially put in place by the local authority.

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Cllr Learoyd said it was “outrageous” and “disgraceful” not to be able to make the commitment he sought, and for a charge potentially to be imposed on householders.

He said green waste collections also prevented the setting of garden fires to dispose of cuttings and clippings, along with potential fly-tipping.

Cllr Learoyd asked Labour’s Cllr Brook: “Do you have any recycling plan whatsoever, or is it just to simply burn, burn, burn?”

Cllr Brook replied by stating no decision had been made over a potential charge with various options being on the table.

He said: “Our commitment as councillors and corporate parents is to look after our children and young people and all options to balance the budget need to be looked at.”

The council previously predicted an overspend of £7.7m in 2023/24 with a cabinet report by managing director John Sampson stating that a  “budget recovery and transformation programme has been instigated” with the aim of identifying savings and income opportunities to rebalance its finances.

He said that proposals to be developed would be presented to the cabinet in December so a formal consultation with the public could commence.

Last month Councillor Christopher Massey, the cabinet member for resources, said every decision made would be difficult and the council was in an “awful position”.