Inspectors awarded only a one star rating, even though residents were very satisfied with the refuse collection services.
It was marked down because the recycling rate is only just over 5 per cent, the service’s cost is comparatively high at 1.9 million, and the overall weight of waste collected is “very high”.
The commission told the council to do more to regulate the volume of waste collected and to divert more waste from landfill by recycling.
The recycling rate must hit 10 per cent in 2003/04 and 18% in 2005/06, the inspectors pointed out.
North Wiltshire's previous inspection in November 2001 had found poor prospects for improvement.
Jane Wreford, director of inspection for the commission's southern region said: “The inspectors presented a number of recommendations to the council, [which] responded very positively.”
But inspectors criticised the council for still not providing residents with any form of container for household waste.
It said this had led to injuries to refuse collection staff, and litter being dropped when bags were ripped apart by animals.
They also found that North Wiltshire had no clear idea of costs and cost control was poor, especially on the trade waste collection service. The cost of the service as a whole has risen substantially in recent years and there have been no noticeable benefits to users.
The council said it was working to address the issues raised by the inspectors.
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