Harrow has some of the highest charges for garden waste collection, according to data compiled by the BBC.

Residents must pay £75 a year for their brown bin, which covers leaves, twigs, flowers, plants and grass, as well as a £5 hire charge.

This is in the top 20 per cent across England. Several local authorities in London do not charge for garden waste collection, while others offer it at a lower price.

There is a summer collection from May to October, which costs £40 – plus the £5 bin hire fee.

Harrow Council explained that the decision to charge for garden waste collection was taken in response to cuts from central government on public services.

And at a cabinet meeting this month, Cllr Varsha Parmar, responsible for the environment at Harrow Council, said residents get value for money on bin collections.

But Cllr Paul Osborn, leader of Harrow Conservatives, citing the statistics on garden waste collection charges and a survey on overall performance, said residents do not view the borough’s services as “one of the best in London”.