CHESHIRE East Council has admitted that the suspensions of the green waste collection over winter ‘caused some problems’.

The service resumes again this week after the winter break, with the council saying they’ll undertake a full review before signing any further suspensions, given the anger it generated among residents.

The winter suspension of the service proved controversial when it was announced, with many residents furious their green waste would not be taken for months.

The council has defended the decision, saying it will save them £1 million over four years.

Councillor David Topping, Cheshire East’s Cabinet member for environment said: “The green waste collection is popular with residents but we took the decision to suspend collections through the winter because, as fewer people tend their gardens, there is simply less green waste to collect.

“Rather than incur the cost of sending out collection vehicles, which returned half-empty, the savings we’ve made will help us to preserve a free collection at a time when many other councils have brought in charges.

“We recognise that the dates for the suspension caused some problems, as the unseasonably mild weather meant that the leaves fell from the trees later than expected.

“As a result, a full review of the timings of the suspension will be made before we announce the dates for winter 2014/15, taking into account the views we have received from residents.”

Residents will now be able to put out their green bins on their usual collection days to have their green garden waste removed.

The service is free of charge for the first bin and £45-per-year fee for each extra bin.