Forced to go fortnightly

Fortnightly bin collections were forced on the council, the cabinet member responsible for refuse collection has claimed, saying it was inevitable if efficiency savings were to be made.

The government faced criticism from opposition politicians after it emerged that at least 155 councils nationally — almost half of all English authorities — swopped weekly for fortnightly collections.

Complaints were due to fears about a rise in vermin and maggot infestations because of food waste being in bins for longer.

However, councils are not obliged to empty bins every week, and issue guidance to prevent infestation, such as double wrapping food waste, and cleaning bins regularly with disinfectant.

The district council’s cabinet member for environment, Mrs Nora Armstrong, did not know how much exactly the council saved through alternate collections, but said it was necessary to help meet the 3% budget savings the Government expected each year.

Mrs Armstrong said: “It is something we have had to do, but we have done it well.

“People have realised we cannot just keep putting rubbish in a hole in the ground. The methane and poisons that produces are not good for the environment.

“People have embraced the twin-bin scheme, and have done very well.

“We are looking at ways of increasing our recycling rate. The third bin for green waste is an idea, but is not set in stone.”

Mr and Mrs Clive Combes, of Yew Tree Way, Coddington, have called for the return of weekly collections.

They cleaned their bin with boiling water and bleach after it became infested with maggots, and paid for professional wheeled bin cleaners to swill it out.

Mr Combes (38) said: “We still think it ought to be weekly, especially during the summer when things breed a lot quicker.”