CHESHIRE East Council has launched a consultation to find the best time to start the seasonal shutdown of garden waste collections.

If follows a public apology made by the council over the issue when the council trialled suspending brown bin collections between the months of October and March this year.

An unusually mild autumn meant that the brown bins were considered to be still required by some residents when collections were suspended in October.

The council acknowledged that it got it wrong which is why a consultation has now been launched to find out what residents think is the best solution.

Residents are being urged to take part in the consultation, in preparation for the 2014/2015 autumn and winter period.

Cabinet portfolio holder David Topping said: “Shutting down the garden waste service over the coldest months of the year makes complete sense.

“The policy is designed to ensure efficient use of council resources and, of course, save money.

“Demand at this time of year is low and the shutdown reduces carbon emissions.

“The consultation is all about getting the views of our residents and putting them first.

“We want to know when residents consider is the best time to shut down the service, the length of the shutdown and what’s the best way to get the message out to them.”

The consultation runs until July 23, 2014, and can be accessed online by visiting cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/consultations.aspx.

For those residents who do not have internet access at home, they can complete a survey at their local library or customer service centre.