The move to more frequent waste collections targeted by the government in its review of waste policy could cost councils £140 million next year and £530 million in total between 2011 and 2015, Defra has revealed.
The figures were revealed by Defra minister Richard Benyon yesterday (September 13) in response to a written parliamentary question from former environment secretary Hilary Benn.
Current estimates suggest that the cost of change would be in the region of £140 million in the first year and £530 million over the period of the Spending Review
Richard Benyon, environment minister
Mr Benn asked what the government estimated the cost would be to councils which currently run “alternate weekly” waste collections if they introduced “weekly waste” collections.
In response, Mr Benyon stressed the government's support for “localism” and for local authorities to decide what collection system works best for their area in consultation with local residents.
But, he also reiterated the commitment made in the current waste review to help councils the “frequency and quality” of collections (see letsrecycle.com story).
“As part of the Government's review of waste policies, we want to help councils to deliver the quality and frequency of services their customers want, while delivering our commitment to move towards a zero waste economy,” he said.
“Current estimates suggest that the cost of change would be in the region of £140 million in the first year and £530 million over the period of the Spending Review.”
The Spending Review, which is set to be announced on October 20, will set out the coalition government's spending plans for the period 2011/12 to 2014/15, and is expected to see significant cuts in the budgets of government departments (see letsrecycle.com story), as well as to the amount of money Whitehall makes available to local authorities.
Collection frequency
The issue of increasing collection frequency has regularly featured in the coalition government's statements on waste, with communities secretary Eric Pickles in particular criticising fortnightly collections of residual waste (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, yesterday's written answers saw Mr Benyon confirm in a response to a question by the Labour MP for Sheffield South East, Clive Betts, that the government had not provided any money for councils to run alternate weekly collections (AWCs).
“Neither Defra nor the department for communities and local government have provided any financial incentives for AWCs,” Mr Benyon said.
Register for free to comment