Charges for second garden waste bins are set to be introduced in North West Leicestershire - potentially affecting 22,000 households.

The trial scheme will see homes applying for a second garden waste bin charged £45 a year for the service – the first bin will still be provided and emptied free of charge.

The change is one of a series of recommendations approved at a North West Leicestershire District Council cabinet meeting earlier this week.

Properties that already have two bins will not be charged yet, but anyone who enquires about a second garden waste bin between now and next year will incur the £45 subscription charge.

But the district council has pointed out that:

• This will be a brand new service – customers in North West Leicestershire currently cannot apply for an additional garden waste bin (they have not been able to since 2013).

• The council's Cabinet approved the plan to start offering additional bins for £45 but this is not available immediately. Now approved, this has to be put in place logistically - which is likely to take a few months. This Includes the buying of the new bins and creating an application process.

• Cabinet approved that an additional bin will cost a one-off payment of £45 – not a subscription service or a yearly charge.

Officers will decide before November whether the charge will be introduced to all two garden bin households.

A report on the council's refuse and recycling service said: "The council's refuse and recycling collections policy was adopted in 2013, a maximum of one garden waste wheeled bin is allowed per household.

"However, some households have two garden bins, and this dates back to a period where NWLDC made additional garden bins available. Over time this resulted in significant additional time to collect the garden waste being produced."

Garden waste collection crews estimate that between 50 and 60 per cent if households have a second garden bin – roughly 22,000 properties.

The report added: "Officers are exploring the possibility of introducing a subscription service for additional garden waste bins, which would include those households which currently have a second garden bin.

"If customers have a smaller 140 litre garden bin, they can exchange it for a larger 240 litre garden bin. However, the Waste Services team receive a small number of requests from residents who would like a second garden bin, with some of them willing to pay for one."

Assessment of current cardboard and garden waste collection rounds show they are not running at 100 per cent capacity, the council said.

• The proposed £45 charge would cover the bin cost, delivery, emptying and administration, the report states.

• Another recommendation approved will see 'mini recycling' sites across the district closed.

• Some 29 of the 36 sites will close due to 'duplication of service'.

Proposed sites to close:

• Mushroom Hall, Main Street, Albert Village
• Shoecare, Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Queens Head Hotel, Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Recreation Ground, Battram Road, Battram
• The Blue Bell pub, Main Street, Blackfordby
• Bardon Hill Sports Club, Bardon Close, Coalville
• West End Club, Ashby Road, Coalville
• Angel Inn pub, The Moor, Coleorton
• George Inn pub, Loughborough Road, Coleorton
• Cemetery Car Park, Station Road, Donington le Heath
• Heather St John's Football Club, Ravenstone Road, Heather
• Queens Head pub, Main Street, Heather
• St. John's Community Centre, Grange Road, Hugglescote
• The Gate pub, Fairfield Road, Hugglescote
• Manor Farm, The Green, Long Whatton
• Royal Oak pub, The Green, Long Whatton
• Eagle Close, Measham
• Village Hall, Queen Street, Measham
• Conkers Car Park, Rawdon Road, Moira
• The Belper Arms pub, Main Street, Newton Burgoland
• New Inn, Zion Hill, Peggs Green
• Ravenstone Post Office, Leicester Road, Ravenstone
• The Globe Inn, Main Street, Snarestone
• Village Hall, Main Street, Swannington
• The Station, Hough Hill, Swannington
• George & Dragon pub, Ashby Road, Thringstone
• Community Centre, The Green, Thringstone
• Hare & Hounds pub, City of Three Waters, Whitwick
• Malt Shovel pub, Main Street, Worthington

Proposed sites to remain open:

• Co-op, Derby Road, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Tesco, A42 Industrial Estate, Ashby-de-la-Zouch
• Co-op, Station Road, Castle Donington
• Morrisons, Whitwick Road, Coalville
• Car Park, High Street, Ibstock
• Co-op, Chapel Street, Ibstock
• Library Car Park, High Street, Measham