Brown Bin refund – how to claim (update)

As the brown bins are being distributed free of charge to all houses at present, Audlem Online is repeating and updating a story we published in May so that those residents who pre-paid for brown bins this year can claim the refund owed to them.

Regular readers of Audlem Online will be aware of the refund that is due to residents who paid up front for the garden waste collection service for the period up to 31st July this year. As reported on 1st May, Audlem Parish Council had asked Cheshire East councillor Rachel Bailey to seek a block refund for those residents in the "rural" area who are owed money for the "brown bin" service.

At a Parish Council meeting Councillor Bailey said that the Environmental Services portfolio holder, whose responsibilities include waste collection, is insistent that every resident who is due a refund by Cheshire East has to contact the council on an individual basis. The portfolio holder in question is Councillor David Brickhill, whose ward includes some of the "rural" areas that are affected by his decision.

Amazed and disappointedSpeaking to Audlem Online Geoff Seddon, who first contacted Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council about the refund back in February, said "Having worked in local authorities for more that 35 years, I am amazed and extremely disappointed at the stance that Cheshire East is taking. I cannot believe that the council, which obviously has all the affected residents' details on their computer database, is taking such a stance over the refund.

"The only reason that I can think of is that Cheshire East is trying to save money, hoping that not all of the affected residents will make a claim. I am especially surprised that the newly-formed council, which was not welcomed by many residents, is taking this stance just a few months after its inception."

The council's responseGeoff wrote to Cheshire East Chief Executive, Erika Wenzel, in May to ask for an explanation as to why this decision has been taken. He has now received a response from Phil Sherratt, the council's Head of Environmental Services, to say that a method of returning the overpayments is being considered. In order to advise those affected Geoff is still pursuing the matter and trying to gain clarification as to what will happen and when.

How to claimIn the meantime, all residents who paid for a brown bin are urged to contact Cheshire East to claim the refund. This can be done by using the refund form. Click here to download. The form can be completed online and sent to Rachel.Carroll@cheshireeast.gov.uk">Rachel.Carroll@cheshireeast.gov.uk. Alternatively, forms are available in Williams Newsagents (extra supplies of the form have been sent for following heavy demand), the chemist's shop or the Post Office and when completed, should be sent to:

Rachel Carroll
Cheshire East Council
Environmental Services
Pyms Lane
Crewe CW1 3PJ

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