THE story appeared in the "Courier" on Friday, October 3, Issue 1001.

A petition has been launched by a local councillor Bob Edwards and Crediton resident, Tim Stanford, who have joined forces against the "Garden Tax." (Copies of the petition are available from Bob Wright on 01363 773566).

Cllr Wright, a Liberal Democrat on MDDC for the Lawrence Ward in Crediton explained that from October 2015 residents will only get their wheelie bins emptied if they pay £50 each year, to have their garden waste collected.

Any local residents not wishing, or able, to pay the £50 will either have to compost their garden waste or take it to Punchbowl Recycling Centre themselves.

Mr Wright said: "This is not practical for everyone and there is a worry that it will result in more fly-tipping in the countryside, something which has already increased since the introduction of charges for some items taken to Punchbowl.

Cllr Wright stressed that the government has set a limit of a two per cent increase on the Council Tax per year for District Councils and this is just a "back-door " way of introducing an increase.

What do you think?

Please let me know. Contact me at 102 High Street, Crediton or email [email protected]">[email protected].

Readers are also invited to take part in the poll on the "Courier" website http://www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk">www.creditoncouriernewspaper.co.uk.

What you told us ..........

I don't have a brown bin, I refused to have one! I do not want it outside my house because I live in a residential area. I just put out my black bag once a fortnight. And I do not want MDDC charging me for a bin I don't have!

Crediton Resident

We had a leaflet from the Lib Dems about the £50 charge and we will definitely be signing the petition against it. We pay enough council tax already without this extra charge. Will they do concessions for OAP's?

Derek and Sandra Matthews, Crediton

With pic NP 081014 01 Sandra Matthews

I wasn't aware of the charge. I would have to stop using my brown bin if they charge extra for it. I thought that would be included in the council tax. My brown bin is always full when it is collected. It would have to go in the black bags.

Donna Midgley, Crediton

Online Poll

We asked our readers: Do you think Crediton Hospital should become a Health and Social Care Hub?

At the time of going to press the results showed:

Yes 50% No 50 %