South Norfolk Council has stated it is not planning to change collection frequency

A Norfolk council has stated it is not planning to change bin collection frequency after concerns.

It followed reports South Norfolk Council was considering three weekly collections.

South Norfolk Council said: “The council has no plans, and never has had any plans to change the frequency of our bin collections.

“We would once again like to reassure our residents that there will be no change to their two weekly bin collections.”

Council’s Leader, Daniel Elmer, added: “I can categorically state that we have no plans to move to three weekly bin collections. It will not happen.”

“It follows reports the council is considering reducing its waste collections to every three weeks and one of the options being looked at to help reduce costs.

It was suggested in a report to the authority that collecting general waste less frequently would help to increase recycling rates.

However, some councillors were sceptical about the idea, suggesting it could result in a build up of unpleasant waste including dog mess bags and nappies.

The proposal emerged in discussions about the implementation of government-mandated food waste collections, which will be introduced next year at a huge cost to local authorities.

The government is requiring councils to bring in the service and South Norfolk Council recently started purchasing the necessary vehicles and containers.

It is planning to start phased collections from the deadline of April next year but said it would not be able to procure enough vehicles for a full district rollout immediately.

This waste reshuffle has sparked calls for a wider review of the collection service run by the authority and officials were asked to consider how reducing the frequency of non-recyclable waste collections could help to increase recycling rates and cut costs.

Speaking at a recent meeting, Kathryn Cross, councillor for Hethersett, said: “I can see there being issues with three-weekly collections.

“It will become very complicated for people to keep track of when their bins need to go out and there will be waste like nappies and dog poo bags building up during that time.”

Due to the urgent need to introduce the new food waste collections, the consideration of three-weekly collections has taken a back seat for now.

However, the council said “further consideration” would take place at the “appropriate time”.

Deborah Sacks, councillor for Cringleford, said: “I know it’s a big step and will be difficult for some people but I would like to know what the savings would be.

“This is a very expensive service overall and one of our highest costs.”