Row Over Potential Reduction In Household Waste Collection

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Some weekly collections in Merton could be cut to fortnightly

Conservative Councillors have protested over household waste plans for Merton which are set to see some refuse collections cuts from weekly to fortnightly.

The council is planning to join a multi-borough waste scheme, which will also see the introduction of wheelie bins.

The South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) covers Merton, Sutton, Croydon and Kingston Councils, and it has picked Veolia as the recommended preferred bidder to handle waste collection and street cleaning services across the four boroughs.  
 
Merton council's Sustainable Communities scrutiny panel approved the recommendations at a meeting on June 9. They will be reviewed by its Cabinet in July.

They would mean the continuation of weekly food waste and recycling collections; paper and card being collected one week and glass, tins and plastics the next.

But the remaining non-recyclable rubbish would be collected on alternate weeks - a reduction on the current weekly service. The recommendations would also see the introduction of wheelie bins.

Merton Conservatives’ spokesman for Transport, Parking and Cleaner Streets, Cllr Daniel Holden said: “Whatever spin they try to put on it, Labour are ending the weekly bin collection, breaking their own manifesto commitment to protect this service. Merton residents will now have to put their household rubbish in four different containers, clogging up kitchens, front gardens and street fronts.

“Weekly bin collections are being ended without a proper assessment of the impact it will have on residents; especially the elderly, disabled and those living in smaller homes and flats. There is also a worrying lack of clarity on the financial savings this proposal will deliver.

“As with cuts to adult social care and the £5million of savings that Labour have failed to deliver, residents are once again paying the price for Labour’s mismanagement.

“We will continue to challenge the council to find value for money alternatives that work for residents.”

Council leader Stephen Alambritis has said: "The proposed solution would mean a better, cleaner service for less money, helping us keep council tax low and protect services for the vulnerable."

A final contract could be awarded in December, pending agreement from the four boroughs.

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June 23, 2016