The council has confirmed garden waste collections will still be free for the duration of this administration.

On Monday, we reported how garden waste collections would restart next week (Monday March 2) following the winter break.

And the good news is – it is definitely saying free FOR NOW.

That will be some relief for households who were facing the possibility of following in Central Beds Council’s footsteps – and paying an annual charge of over £56 ON TOP OF their council tax.

Bedford mayor, Tom Wootton, has promised there will be no additional charge for residents to have their garden waste collected for the duration of this administration

placeholder image — Bedford mayor, Tom Wootton, has promised there will be no additional charge for residents to have their garden waste collected for the duration of this administration

Bedford residents were asked back in October to have their say on the council’s Waste and Resources Strategy – the findings of which won’t be revealed yet, apparently.

And when the threat of a possible charge came to a head last year, people were really galvanised.

On our Facebook page – one reader said: “Green waste will just be put in the black bins.”

While another chipped in: “As far as I’m concerned I already pay for this in my council tax.”

The suggestion was part of a raft of other proposals by the council including scrapping free parking and cuts to library services in the hope of saving money.

In a statement to Bedford Today, a Bedford Borough Council spokesman said: “A summary of the responses to the Waste and Resources Strategy consultation will be presented to committee at some point during the 2026/27 financial year.

“The mayor of Bedford borough, Tom Wootton, has pledged that there will be no additional charge for residents to have their garden waste collected for the duration of this administration.”