A meeting has been called to discuss business waste collection charges described as "extortionate".

Representatives from several different town halls in Rutland are expected to attend the meeting in Empingham's village hall on Wednesday next week (August 19), to draft a collective response to recently announced levies on waste collection from Rutland County Council.

The council will begin charging Empingham's hall approximately £16 for waste collections and £12 for recycling collections per week from September.

Andrew Jennings, who is chairperson of Empingham Village Hall committee, explained: "There's a local government statute from the 1990s that says they can do this, but they clearly don't have to do it since they weren't doing it before.

"We've had very little time to prepare, but the bigger problem is the scale of these charges. You multiply the figures up and we'll be paying close to £700 a year.

"It just seems to us that it's had no forethought – as though someone has sat in an office somewhere and thought, 'here's a way to make some money'. We're trying to fight back because we don't think it's fair."

Mr Jennings added that rising electricity costs mean the hall will not be able to absorb the new waste collection charges, leaving no option but to "pass the charges on" to those who hire out the building.

"Most of the halls around here charge between £12 and £14 an hour, some a bit more," he said. " We've no alternative but to put up our prices, possibly by around 25%. It'll be the public paying Rutland County Council's bill."

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A spokesperson for Rutland County Council said the council charges for some services to recover running costs, ensuring the council remains "financially sustainable".

They continued: "Waste and recycling collections from non-domestic and commercial properties are chargeable under national legislation.

"Many non-domestic properties in Rutland – including some village halls – already pay for waste collections, either through the council or a private waste contractor. However, some organisations have historically received free collections when these should have been paid for.

"We recognise the vital role that village halls and other local facilities play in supporting Rutland's communities, but the council also has a responsibility to apply its waste policy fairly and consistently across all non-domestic properties."