Shropshire Council is reviewing its garden waste collection service as it looks for ways to make payments easier and attract more subscribers.
The authority, now led by the Liberal Democrats, is considering introducing a direct debit payment option from next year, allowing residents to spread the £56 annual fee over monthly instalments.
The council hopes the move will improve take-up of the service, which underperformed financially during its first year. The £56 charge — introduced in November last year — has been frozen for another 12 months, but could rise in 2026 once the council finalises its new budget.
So far, around 56% of households across the county have subscribed to the optional collection service, generating more than £4.3 million in income for 2024/25. However, this fell short of the 70% participation rate forecast by the previous Conservative administration, leaving a £1 million funding gap that must now be offset elsewhere.
Councillor David Vasmer, the cabinet member for highways and environment, said many residents struggled to pay the full amount in one go.
“The 70% target was never realistic,” he said. “The national average is closer to 55%, and it was unrealistic to expect more. Because of that overestimation, we now have a shortfall in the budget.
It was launched quite quickly last November, and many residents weren’t sure how to sign up — so we’re hoping for stronger numbers this year.”
The decision to freeze the current fee was made by the former Conservative leadership earlier in the year.
When asked whether the cost could increase in 2026, Councillor Vasmer said that “nothing is being ruled out” given the council’s challenging financial position.
The subscription window for the next garden waste collection year is now open, and residents are being encouraged to sign up early to make the most of the full collection schedule.
