A council is looking at “new pricing structures” for bulky and green waste in the New Year, after being unable to implement price increases because of Covid-19.

It is one of a range of revenue raising measures Denbighshire county council is looking at, as well as cutting down on its outgoing following the pandemic’s effect on council coffers.

The latest prediction of the effects of Covid-19 on the authority’s funds show it set to have financial black hole of around £7.4m.

In a paper circulated to cabinet members, it made a series of suggestions about how it could recoup some cash.

By not filling vacant posts it had budgeted for in its communities and customers department, the authority could save £54,300 and another £100,000 by reviewing the charging and income policy surrounding waste services.

The council already implemented a 2.5% increase in cemetery fees in April.

Among the ideas touted was delaying recruitment for all posts in legal, HR and democratic services by one month – saving £25,000.

The non-filling of vacant hours and posts in education and children’s services could save another £85,000.

Changing grant expenditure could save another £200,000, while eradicating water coolers as part of its green policy would recoup £9,000.

If implemented, the ideas could recoup £670,000 on top of efficiency savings of more than £1m already realised this year.

Most council tax payers will be interested in changes to waste services and a council spokesman said: “Due to the service disruption caused by the Covd19 pandemic, modest price increases across a range of chargeable waste services including bulky waste and green waste and commercial waste collections from businesses have not yet been implemented.

“The service is currently reviewing the charges, with a view to implementing a new pricing structure in the New Year.”