Enfield could be about to have the fourth most expensive green bin service in London, according to independent research.

With Enfield Council facing having to make £56m in savings, they are currently consulting the public on proposals to either provide a free fortnightly green waste collection, or a weekly collection that will cost £60 a year.

The charged service option would make it the fourth most expensive fee in London, after Kingston upon Thames (£78), Harrow (£75) and Merton (£65).

According to research from composter manufacturer Mantis, of the 14 local authorities in London who will charge for garden waste collection in 2016, the average annual subscription is £55 - five pounds cheaper than Enfield’s suggested charge.

They also say the number of councils charging a “garden tax” – as the proposed Enfield service was called by Cllr Joanne Laban - has more than doubled over the past five years. Four London councils, including Harrow, have definitely introduced fees for 2016.

David Goose, managing director at Mantis, said: “There have been concerns that fees will increase fly-tipping, make recycling sites too busy, or divert more recyclable waste to landfill.”

Enfield Council spokesman Andrew Golder said it would be “premature to speculate” on the future of the green bin service.

He said: “We would urge residents to have their say on the proposals under consideration and we will make a final decision later in the year.”

The council’s consultation questionnaire can be found here.