Enfield is set for fortnightly green bin collection after a public survey overwhelmingly rejected a paid service.

The council’s consultation on whether the food waste bins should be collected fortnightly for free, or weekly for a £60 annual charge, closed on September 2.

The authority has now revealed 87 per cent of respondents preferred a free fortnightly service over a charged weekly collection.

Enfield Council’s cabinet will decide which approach to take at a meeting on October 19, but it has been recommended by council officers that they approve the public’s choice.

If agreed, the new schedule would start in spring 2017.

A free weekly green bin collection is currently on offer in Enfield, but this is being withdrawn.

The council say this is a result of major reductions in government funding, and the need to make cuts of £56m by 2020.

However Councillor Joanne Laban, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, said in June the proposed £60 charge was a “garden tax” on Enfield.

Enfield Council's cabinet member for environment, Cllr Daniel Anderson, said: "Councils across the country are faced with making unprecedented cuts to service provision. To that end, in order to save money, we are reviewing all our services to see if they can be delivered differently. The proposed changes to the green bin and food waste collection service have come about as a result of that review.

“Although the green bin collection service will change, we will not be altering the current weekly refuse or recycling services.”

The council say they will write to those effected to tell them about the changes and any action they need to take.