West Devon Borough Council Considers Raising Garden Waste Collection Fees

Garden waste collection charges in a specific area of Devon may see an increase for the third consecutive year. West Devon Borough Council’s Hub Committee has consented to conduct a fee review, having been informed that other authorities within the county impose higher rates for these services. Since 2023, the annual charge for residents wishing to dispose of garden waste in West Devon has escalated from £40 to £55, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The committee was apprised that residents in North Devon are charged £60 for collections, while in Mid Devon, the fee ranges between £60 and £70, contingent on bin sizes. It was noted that the council maintains nearly 7,000 household subscriptions for the collection service and is projected to generate an income of £374,000 by the close of the next financial year, which is approximately £14,000 more than initially forecast. Torridge and Teignbridge District Councils both charge £55; however, Teignbridge offers a £5 reduction for households receiving council tax support. A similar structure is implemented in Torbay, where standard rates are £50, with a concessionary rate of £40. In East Devon, where the green waste collection service is utilized by over 21,000 customers, the yearly cost stands at £52.