Hillingdon Council is reviewing its garden waste collection service after reports of errors, including collections from homes that have not paid for the service. The review follows a question raised by a resident during a council meeting on 11 September 2025.

At the meeting, Lynn Jackson of Downs Barn Road, Ruislip, questioned Councillor Eddie Lavery, Cabinet Member for Community & Environment, about the issue. Jackson asked why garden waste bags were being collected from homes without payment, specifically asking:

Having paid to have our garden waste collected, can I please ask why bags are being collected from homes where no payment has been made and the bags have no address or green tags on either? Is there a protocol in place to ensure this doesn't happen, if so, are all workers fully appraised of it? Are the Council also ensuring that garden waste placed in black bags are being refused?

The introduction of a £70 garden waste subscription charge has been a point of contention. Some argue it represents a breach of the Conservative administration's manifesto promise to maintain free weekly green waste collections. Those speaking against the motion noted that the Council's decision to introduce a garden waste subscription had been a regrettable but necessary response to financial pressures. It was explained that the Council had been forced to abandon its July 2023 commitment due to an unexpected rise in employer National Insurance contributions.

Councillor Lavery reported that around 18,000 subscriptions to the new scheme had generated £1.6 million, with numbers rising after collections began and marketing efforts. The Council had prepared across departments, and officers were thanked for a successful first week. Progress would continue to be monitored and adjusted as needed.

Despite the concerns, it was suggested that free disposal options remained available to residents and that the £70 charge was lower than those imposed by many neighbouring Labour councils. Some council members criticised the Labour government for its failure to control illegal immigration, rising public debt and its contribution to inflation and job losses, all of which were said to have intensified financial strain on local authorities. The full details of the meeting can be found in the Public Reports Pack.

This review comes as part of ongoing efforts to ensure effective service delivery.