Central Beds Council will hold a consultation regarding proposed changes to the bin collection service which could see black bins lurking for an extra week and a charge for garden waste collection.
Councillors voted unanimously to seek residents’ views before making a firm decision about the changes, which are being considered in the footsteps of other councils in a bid to save money.
Biggleswade North Cllr Steven Watkins told the Comet: “Waste is the third largest area of revenue spend for the council after adult social care and children’s services.
“Therefore, it is the right thing to do to look at harmonising the service across North and South of the region and saving money where appropriate. As such, this is an appropriate consultation for the council to undertake.
“I’m not yet convinced that a move to three-weekly collections of general waste is the right one. I understand that 17 other councils have moved to three-weekly domestic waste collections and it is important that we closely examine the results in these authorities, which I am sure the portfolio holder will be doing.
“Collecting garden waste is not a statutory service that the council has to provide but I’m pretty sure that most of my constituents would consider it one of the most important things that we do.
“I would point out early stage of exploring these options and no decision has been made. I look forward to seeing the feedback from residents and I would urge them to take part in the consultation.”
According to Central Beds Council collection and disposal of waste costs around £14 million per year, which equals to 7 per cent of the council’s budget, and 9 per cent council tax, making it one of the largest expenditures.
The council also wants to increase the rate of recycling to at least 50 per cent by 2020. Currently, less than half of the waste collected is recycled.
North Herts District Council have recently introduced a £40 annual charge for garden waste collection, and will now be provided food waste caddies which will be collected separate from general waste and collected weekly.
The public consultation will open on February 26 and close on April 20. For more information, and to take part in the consultation go to centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council/consultations/bin-collections/consultation,
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