Barnet Council has moved a step closer to its easyCouncil model with plans for Council Tax discounts or extra charges depending on the amount of services being used. "The day of one size fits all has gone," says Barnet Council's leader Cllr Mike Freer.
One approach is to "share the proceeds" of the money saved by recycling as opposed to general waste. Barnet are looking at "financial incentives" although the details have not been set out. The target is to reduce landfill costs by 10%. This would mean a saving per household that achieved this of £200 – with the amount split between the Council and the household.
Windsor and Maidenhead are planning RecycleBank points where residents are given vouchers redeemable at local shops and restaurants based on the amount they recycle.
Another idea in Barnet is for householders who choose to have fortnightly bin collections, because for them they regard it as adequate, to be given a Council Tax discount.
There was an interesting slot on the Today programme yesterday with Cllr Freer and the former Blairite guru Mathew Taylor with Taylor commending Barnet's approach as "the future of local government." Scroll down to 8.25 on this play again menu.