Bin there, done that - 'it hasn't worked well'

BINS will have to wait longer for collection. Inset: Last night's Chronicle front page.

OLDHAM'S Liberal Democrat Group has expressed concerns over plans to reduce bin collections in the borough to just once every three weeks.

Lib Dems say Oldham Council should have learnt from other boroughs that have adopted the same system, claiming "it has not worked well".

In a statement on behalf of the group, the Liberal Democrats said: "We understand there are going to be some difficult choices to make but we need to learn the lessons from other boroughs that have gone to three-weekly - it has not worked well.

"We believe the devil will be in the detail with these plans.

"I am sure that we are not the only ones thinking that this is going to affect service across the whole borough.

"Already in Shaw and Crompton, because our collection day is a Friday, we are more often than not getting missed roads because there's just not enough time to finish the rounds off. This means coming back on Saturdays. What will happen to other areas?

"How is the service going to manage in bad weather? Or on bank holidays? What will happen with the excesses of waste and recycling around Christmas?

"Residents expect the council to get the basics right and this is most definitely one of the basics that can cause them problems if it is not right.

"As a responsible opposition we will hold the administration to account and will be seeking reassurances that the residents are not left without a functioning service and that the borough does not become ridden with fly-tipping."

The proposals, which will go before cabinet on June 27, would see a "simplified" three-weekly collection cycle introduced with one rubbish or recycling bin being emptied each week.

In 2014, Bury Council became the first authority in the country to reduce collections to every three weeks and the change was met by criticism from local residents, with an increase in fly-tipping and vermin highlighted.

Resident Peter Emery said: "This is down to Tory cut backs to local government and nothing else... you will find next that grass cutting will be cut back and road sweeping never done at all."