Bins may get a festive boost

A weekly bin collection could return across Cannock and Rugeley over Christmas and New Year in a move which would cost taxpayers more than £12,000.

Talks will take place next week over whether to revert to a weekly collection for two weeks over the festive period or keep the current controversial fortnightly service.

But calls for a weekly service last Christmas failed and complaints followed about heaving bins and the fact wrapping paper was not taken away with recycling because of the dyes and inks it contained.

Labour Councillor Gordon Alcott, who asked for the matter to be looked at again, said: "If we are elected and we get the majority in next year's election, we want a full evaluation of the recycling scheme with a view to re-introducing a weekly collection of household refuse."

The council's environment select committee will decide on Tuesday whether to recommend any changes to the service.

A report to the committee said the council had two option - continue alternate weekly collections of green bins and brown bins or suspend brown bin collections for two weeks and provide a weekly service collecting household rubbish.

It would mean employing an extra team and have an estimated cost of £12,000.

By Michelle Pearson