Dawlish Town Council, along with Teignbridge's other parishes, faces a decision on whether to take on the rural skip service formerly provided by the district council.

Teignbridge District Council's executive confirmed the 'very difficult decision' to axe the rural skip service at their meeting on Tuesday, November 3.

Teignbridge council was the only one in Devon that still supported the service, which enabled residents from rural areas who need to travel long distances to reach their nearest recycling centre to dispose of their bulky goods.

But with Teignbridge District Council facing financial pressures, councillors had decided in October to cease funding it.

Parishes will be given financial information

That decision was called in for further scrutiny, but councillors had only recommended back to the executive that the necessary financial information be given to affected parishes and towns within four weeks, to enable them to make a decision whether they wish to take on and continue the service.

Tuesday's meeting saw them agree to that recommendation, with Cllr Alan Connett, leader of the council, saying that immediately the meeting had been concluded, that information would be passed across.

Cllr Huw Cox, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee, said: "Our recommendation is that financial information given to parishes so they can make the decision as to if they want to carry on the service. We should be proactive and give them the information, rather than waiting for us."

Decision was made 'with a heavy heart'

Cllr Alistair Dewhirst, executive member for environmental services, added: "It was with a heavy heart that I ask you to agree with the proposal to close the rural skip service. We will contact all the parishes in a proactive manner and will help them set up a service if they wish."

The service had been suspended since the coronavirus lockdown in March, and the meeting heard that residents who have bulky items to dispose of can take them to their nearest recycling centre, arrange collection through the Teignbridge Bulky Waste Collection Service or make private arrangements for the disposal of their items.