Empingham Village Hall to launch petition against council waste collection fees
Village halls seek to amend "excessive" waste collection charges before council meeting
Empingham Village Hall representatives are initiating a petition to challenge the "extortionate" waste collection fees set by Rutland County Council.
The petition requires 50 signatures by 10th September to ensure the issue is addressed during the council’s September meeting, according to committee chair Andrew Jennings.
Village hall operators have expressed dissatisfaction over the new policy, which introduces charges for waste collection services previously provided at no cost.
Empingham Village Hall faces annual fees of £700 under the new arrangement.
At a recent meeting on 19th August, attendees from various local village halls agreed to take collective action through a petition.
Andrew Jennings described the initiative as a means to bring community concerns to the council's attention, promoting a fairer approach to fee application.
Jennings emphasised the need for a fee policy that recognises the varied income levels of village halls, explaining that current charges are not sustainable for smaller establishments.
Empingham has rental income of approximately £5,000, while Langham, with its entertainment facilities, generates around £60,000.
Village halls with even lower income levels are struggling to manage the additional expense.
Jennings proposed that fees should be scaled according to rental income, arguing that this would better reflect each venue’s capacity to afford the charges.