Isle of Wight proposes garden waste subscription increase

The Isle of Wight Council is considering a proposal to increase annual garden waste collection subscriptions from £102 to £120. The proposed £18 hike is part of a broader strategy to address financial pressures and increase income for the local authority.

A report by Simon Moon, the strategic director of community services, estimates that the increase could generate approximately £178,200 over three years starting from 2027/28. This projection assumes a 10 per cent drop in subscribers due to the higher cost. However, the report notes that if customer retention remains high, the potential income could reach up to £227,700.

While the cost would rise, the council stated that service standards and collection frequency would remain unchanged. Before a final decision is made, officials noted that further analysis regarding demand, equality considerations, and benchmarking against other areas is required. The Environment and Community Protection Committee is scheduled to discuss the proposals on October 29.