Plans to empty rubbish bins less often – and to charge for the collection of garden waste – could be delayed in Watford, because of the impact of coronavirus.

As part of a package of measures, Watford Borough Council has plans to collect non-recyclable waste from black bins every two weeks, instead of weekly.

At the same time, a new weekly food waste collection would be introduced, as well as an annual charge of up to £45 for garden waste collection.

The changes, which have been designed to encourage recycling and provide value for money, had been due to come into force in July.

But on Monday a meeting of the council's cabinet will be asked to delay those changes until September, "in light of the current national situation with regards to the coronavirus and associated impacts".

Speaking in advance of the cabinet meeting, elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said the planned changes to waste and recycling would make Watford a "greener town" – increasing recycling and reducing the amount thrown away.

But he said it was "right" that the changes should be delayed until later in the year.

He said: "Like everyone, we have had to adapt very quickly and review our plans for this year.

"Delaying the introduction of these changes has given Veolia time to deal with the immediate crisis caused by Covid-19, which their staff have done exceptionally well.

"Making sure that residents have excellent local services and doing all we can to limit the impact of climate change and protecting our environment will be just as important in a post Covid-19 world as it was before.

"It is right that we should delay these changes until later in the year.”

Councillors had initially given the plans to change waste collection in the borough the green light at a meeting in January.

As part of the changes the number of black bin collections will be halved, but existing blue-lidded bins – for mixed dry recyclables such as glass and tins – will continue to be emptied weekly.

Residents will be issued with new 23-litre brown bins for cooked and uncooked food waste, that will be collected weekly and used for compost or electricity.

And there will be a yearly subscription for the fortnightly collection of garden waste (using existing green bins).  This will cost £45, £40 if paid by direct debit and £35 to those who are entitled to a concession.

According to the original report, income from garden waste collections would have generated £295,000 for the council this year (2020/21).

But the report to Monday’s meeting acknowledges that the delay in implementing the charges is likely to result in this "not being fully met" in 2020/21.

The virtual meeting of Watford Council’s cabinet will be held at 7pm on Monday and it can be viewed by the members of the public online.