Residents divided on bin cost-saving plans

TRI-WEEKLY REFUSE COLLECTIONS ON CARDS AS CHANGES AFOOT

- By EDWARD BARNES

THE people of Wirral appear to be split on major changes that could be coming to their bin collections.

To balance its budget from April, Wirral Council has been looking at a number of options for cost-cutting.

This includes a review of bin collections in light of government-mandated changes to include the recycling of more dry materials as well as food waste.

A recent council report said: "This review will consider operational savings, environmental impact, and resident needs, supported by a comprehensive communications and engagement plan."

Food waste collections are being brought in across England and have to be provided from April.

The additional cost of this is expected to be £2.9m, though the council has been supported with some extra government funding.

However at a recent meeting, the borough's Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green suggested one of the options being considered was moving rubbish collections to three weeks arguing this "would be a huge mistake".

This could be one of a number of options being considered.