I’m sure the residents of Wiltshire will be asking themselves just what was the point in taking part in the public consultation on the future of the green waste bin collection.

It was very encouraging that so many local residents took part. It’s a pity that Wiltshire Council has taken no notice of their views.

A majority of residents favoured the suspension of the collection service during the winter months, and it would have delivered savings to the council.

At a recent Environment Select committee the Conservatives seemed to be agreeing that this was the best way forward. So it has come as a shock to read that it is now planning to charge the residents £40 per year to empty their green bins.

My guess is that few will take up the offer of paying £40 per year for a service that should be free.

So just what will happen to the green waste? Some residents will follow my example and compost, some will find its way into the grey bin and others will just dump their waste in the countryside, blocking up our ditches and causing flooding.

We could take our waste to the household recycling centres within the county. The problem here is they are looking to reduce the opening hours, the result being more waste dumped in our countryside.

And just to rub a little more salt in the wound, the Conservatives are also planning to charge us all for replacement bins and recycling boxes. I’m sure residents will be asking just why we pay our taxes?

Coun Terry Chivers, Melksham Without North (Independent).