Residents in West Lindsey subscribing to the garden waste collection service will continue to receive 18 collections per year.
The news comes after the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee approved the recommendations on Thursday, 14 November, which had been supported by the Prosperous Communities Committee to keep the existing schedule with a small fee increase.
The annual fee will increase by £2, from £44 to £46 per bin, which the council felt was necessary to cover rising operational costs and ensure cost recovery for the service. This change will take effect in 2025 when the service resumes.
The updated rate of £46 per bin is anticipated to generate an additional £52,500 in income, which will contribute to the increased costs associated with service delivery.
A full financial analysis was conducted by officers to set this price, with the goal of maintaining a high standard of service without reducing the number of collections.
Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr Trevor Young said:
“We are committed to providing a high-quality garden waste service that meets the needs of our residents while ensuring cost efficiency.
“This small fee adjustment will allow us to maintain the same number of collections while covering rising operational costs, as confirmed by the overwhelming majority of residents who expressed satisfaction with the service. We thank everyone who participated in the consultation and helped shape this decision.”
Ahead of the decision, the council conducted a comprehensive resident consultation from 15 July to 9 September 2024, to gather public feedback on payment options, collection frequency, and service satisfaction.
The consultation received 7,352 responses, including feedback from both current subscribers (93%) and non-subscribers (8%) to ensure an inclusive range of perspectives.
Key findings included:
- Satisfaction: 92% of current subscribers expressed satisfaction with the garden waste service, with 77% stating they believe it offers good value for money.
- Frequency Preference: 66% of subscribers felt that the current schedule of 18 collections per year meets their needs.
- Cost Considerations: Among non-subscribers, cost was cited as the primary reason for not using the service, with 53% indicating interest in a ‘pay as you grow’ option, depending on the cost and logistics.
The feedback gathered will guide future service developments and options as the council works to align offerings with residents’ preferences and financial needs.
For further details you an read the full report on the council’s website: Decision Making Council Meetings
Residents will be able to subscribe to the Garden Waste Service for 2025 collections from 6 January 2025, full information will be released shortly.
