Garden waste charges in Rutland have risen by 46 per cent over the last three years.

The figures were revealed during a meeting of all councillors on Rutland County Council where a 2 per cent increase in council tax was voted through.

The green bin charge – which is for garden rubbish and does not include the planned new food waste collections – will be £73 per home from April this year. This is up from £50 in 2023 and £60 last year.

Cllr Kiloran Heckels (Conservatives) said: "Given our waste contracts are set for a number of years I am very surprised by this year's inflated green waste charge. 

"The rise far exceeds the current rate of inflation – which stands at around 3 per cent."

But environment boss Cllr Christine Wise (Lib Dem) said the council's collection costs had increased above inflation while the number of subscribers had fallen.

'Full cost recovery'

She said: "It is a clear process based on full cost recovery and it is reviewed each year.

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"The green bin charge reflects the overall cost of the service rather than simply rising at the rate of inflation. 

"Costs have risen above inflation and the number of subscribers has decreased."

Cllr Wise said direct costs for green bin collections amounted to £742,000 annually and indirect costs had risen to £113,000. She added that the number of subscribers had also dropped slightly to 11,600.

Cllr Wise said green bin costs for neighbouring authorities were higher than in Rutland.

The green waste charge for residents in Melton Mowbray has gone above £100 for the first time this year. 

Confusion over discount for struggling households

The meeting also heard that a subsidy on the charge for less well-off families had been "removed erroneously". 

There has previously been a 25 per cent discount for anyone receiving local council tax support.

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Cllr Wise said households that were in receipt of that discount would be receiving a letter regarding the situation.

Cllr Heckels said later in the meeting that she was "pleased to hear this" – although the local authority's website appears to confirm the discount has been axed.

The Rutland County Council's green waste page for 2026/27 states: "Please be advised that a discounted rate can no longer be offered as the funds received from subscriptions are used to cover the cost of providing the service and therefore the full subscription cost will now apply to all residents.

"If you are experiencing severe financial hardship, support may be available. Please contact us for advice."

The Local Democracy Service has asked Rutland County Council for clarification on this issue.

Budget vote passed

Councillors voted unanimously to pass the budget for 2026/27 – including the 2 per cent council tax increase. 

This means the Band D rate – for an average home – will increase by £44.38 to £2,263.33 in 2026/27 from £2,218.95 last year.

The council faces a £26.9million cost for social care, while education and supporting young people with special educational needs or disabilities takes up a further £21.2m.

Other costs include £6m for recycling, waste services and street cleaning and £5.2m for highways and transport.

A further £6m will be put aside as part of plans to revamp Rutland County Museum so it will ultimately be able to house the huge prehistoric ichthyosaur fossil discovered at Rutland Water in 2021.