West Devon garden waste fees could rise

Garden waste collection charges in a part of Devon could rise for the third year in a row.

West Devon Borough Council's Hub Committee has agreed to carry out a fee review after being told other authorities in the county charged a higher rate for collections.

Since 2023, the fee for residents who want to dispose of garden waste in west Devon has increased from £40 to £55 per year, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said .

The committee was told north Devon residents are charged £60 for collections, while in Mid Devon the fee is between £60 and £70 depending on bin sizes.

It heard the council had almost 7,000 household subscriptions for the collection and was expected to generate an income of £374,000 by the end of the next financial year - about £14,000 more than initially predicted.

Torridge and Teignbridge District Councils charged £55, but Teignbridge charged £5 less for households that received council tax support, a system replicated in Torbay where standard rates were £50, but £40 for concessions.

In East Devon, where more than 21,000 customers used the green waste collection service, the cost was £52 a year.