FAMILIES will breathe a sigh of relief as a council is likely to scrap its plans to reduce bin collections to once a month.
Thousands of Bristol residents were set to be affected by their local council’s plans – and many were fuming over the issue.
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Bristol Council had launched a six-week consultation which included the option of switching to monthly bin collections.
It said the move would save more than £2million a year and boost recycling rates.
At the moment, the council collects recycled rubbish and food waste once a week while black bins are collected every two weeks.
The plans would have seen locals handling double as much waste as they’re used to by the end of the month.
Residents said the plans were “bonkers” and would “upset a lot of people”.
Now, the ruling Green Party has announced it will no longer support the move.
Both the local Labour Party and Conservatives had also called on the council to scrap the measure, and 12,000 people had signed a petition against it.
Grace Billingham, 35, said at the time she was horrified by the proposal as she has two kids still at nursery, with one of them still using nappies.
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She said all the plan would do is “increase fly tipping” and make it harder for families.
Kelly Haskins, 45, had said the streets would be littered if the proposal went ahead.
“It seems bonkers, if they tried to push it to monthly it will upset a lot of people.
“Your council tax goes up every year and people are in a crisis – I wouldn’t be happy with it.”
Meanwhile resident Hannah Winter, 51, and her partner Sharif Hussain, 59, believe the reduced services would be “a little crazy”.
They believed the potential stench could cause an issue.
The decision to change the frequency of bin collections comes down to Bristol Council’s cross-party environment and sustainability committee.
This is chaired by Green Party councillor Martin Fodor, who said he had “made clear it was always unlikely to go ahead”.
“So based on what we’ve heard and the strength of feeling that this has generated across the city, the Greens will not be supporting any proposals put forward to move to four-weekly collections at this time,” he said.
“The full results of the consultation will be presented to a cross-party group to decide on any changes to our waste and recycling services.”
Bristol’s recycling rate is at about 45% and the Green Party has pledged to increase it.
Last year, the recycling collected earned the city council £4.5million in revenue, while disposing of it would have cost the city £8.3million to process.
Councillor James Crawford, who also sits on the environment and sustainability committee, said: “There are many changes that we need to make as a city to improve our recycling rate.
“Larger recycling containers, better information on recycling, more consistent facilities and services in blocks and shared dwellings, and collection of soft plastic recycling are all things we can do.
“I look forward to seeing the full results of the consultation and working cross-party on what measures we can take to improve recycling for Bristol.”
How to get your council tax reduced or even for free
LOCAL authorities can offer you a discount or wipe your bill completely depending on your circumstances through council tax support.
You can get a 25% discount on your council tax if you are the only person living in the home or if you live with other people who are classed as “disregarded”.
Someone is classed as disregarded if they are severely mentally impaired, a carer, in hospital, a care home or hostel, has another main residence, or is a student, youth trainee or apprentice.
For example, if one single adult lives with a student, they can get 25% off their council tax.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer, you could get a reduction of up to 50% too.
And, if you live in an all-student household you can get a 100% discount.
Pensioners can also get a council tax discount, including those on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit who can get 100% off.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
Meanwhile, a pensioner who lives alone also qualifies for a 25% discount.
Low-income households or those on benefits can also apply for a reduction on their council tax.
Whether you are eligible depends on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
Always remember though, if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as possible.
That will avoid your situation deteriorating and landing you in trouble.
