Erewash Borough Council’s Early Bird £20 offer for residents who want to keep getting their garden waste collected ends on 31 March.

From 1 April the service will cost £32 when paying online – which is still far below what many authorities levy.

More than 24,000 households have already signed up – after a survey revealed the majority of local people understood the cash-strapped authority’s financial situation.

Erewash kept garden waste collections free for as long as possible – but mounting pressure on town hall finances means it has had to copy other councils by bringing in an annual charge.

Residents must use a My Erewash account to subscribe online. People can also pay on behalf of family and friends.

From 1 April those paying over the phone will pay £32, with additional bins £16. Those paying at town hall receptions will pay £37 for the first bin and £18.50 for additional bins.

More information on the scheme can be found on the garden waste page.

Erewash launched an online survey of residents to gauge their priorities before this month setting its budget for 2024/25 – which saw a below-inflation rise of 2.99 per in the borough’s council tax. This relates to the town hall’s split of the overall bill. The lion’s share of what people pay goes to Derbyshire County Council.

Almost six in ten of those who took part in the survey said they fully understood the authority’s financial situation and funding. A similar proportion – 59 per cent – said they were happy with the services the council provides.