Cheshire West and Chester council is set to consider introducing alternate weekly collections under its next waste and recycling collection contract, after a majority of residents said they would like to see the change, writes Chris Sloley.
The council has revealed that 60% of the 21,000 householders who responded to a consultation on its waste services stated a preference for alternate weekly collections (AWCs), while nearly 70% backed weekly food waste collections.
And, the results of the consultation are now set to be considered at a meeting of Cheshire West and Chester council’s executive next week (September 29) to inform the criteria the council will use as it procures one single collections contract, in place of three separate services. This is a result of Cheshire West and Cheshire only being created as a local authority in April 2009.
Cheshire West and Chester launched the one-month consultation for its 300,000 residents in June with the aim of finding at least £1.5 million of savings under the harmonised service it aims to introduce by 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillor Lynn Riley, executive member for community and environment, said: “The consultation responses show that there is a huge appetite across West Cheshire for recycling more materials. In addition to materials such as paper, glass, cans, plastic packaging, cardboard and Tetra Paks, nearly 70% of residents also picked out kitchen waste as important to recycle.”
Harmonised
The unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester was formed in a local government shake-up in April 2009, which saw Vale Royal district council, Chester city council and Ellesemere Port and Neston borough council amalgamated into one council (see letsrecycle.com story).
Under the existing arrangements, the former Vale Royal district council area collections are carried out by SITA UK, the former Chester city council area is catered for by Spanish-owned waste management firm Focsa and the Ellesmere Port and Neston area is covered by an in-house collection service.
The council said it has selected a preliminary list of eight companies to tender for the waste collection deal, with the aim of discussions beginning with potential bidders next month. And, after a two stage process of refining and assessing applications, the council hopes to name a preferred bidder known by late summer 2011.
Cllr Riley added: I am delighted that so many people took the time to let us know their thoughts about the future of recycling and waste collection.
“This service affects us all and receiving so many replies makes the consultation representative so that we can be confident in designing and delivering the type of service that our residents are looking for.”
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