The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A wheelie bin collection scheme for garden waste is set to launch in South Holland from next April.
The two-year pilot would initially be available to 5,000 households across the district.
The proposal for the two-week rota is for Spalding to be covered one week and then Holbeach, Crowland, Long Sutton, Sutton Bridge, Donington, Gosberton and Surfleet the next week.
Last year households were surveyed on interest in a scheme, particularly method of collection and cost. About 60 per cent of respondents said they would be happy with a wheelie bin and 65 per cent would be prepared to pay £2 per collection.
Council officers are proposing a £49-per-year scheme to cover a maximum of 24 fortnightly collections throughout the year. A one-off fee of £15 would cover extras including delivery and lease of the 240-litre wheelie bin, which would remain the council’s property.
A second option would be available too – buying ten paper sacks for £15 (plus delivery).
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for waste management, said officers had worked hard to bring a scheme forward.
“We’re very enthusiastic about it,” he said. “We believe it’s something residents want us to do. We’re keen to get it rolled out across the district but we’re also keen that it pays for itself and doesn’t rely on other taxpayers that don’t wish to use the scheme.”
With opening hours at Lincolnshire County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centre in Spalding being halved in recent years and Saturday morning skip collections across the district likely to be axed as a cost saving in 2016/17, now is seen as a good time to launch the garden waste scheme.
An existing refuse collection lorry will be freed up for wheelie bin adaptation by waste and recycling staff starting collections at 6am.
The council, which has been tasked with making cost savings and identifying new revenue streams, is looking to spend £265,050 in capital costs. It is expected that the two-year pilot will produce a net return of £108,800.
Coun Gambba-Jones said households would be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cabinet members will discuss the scheme on Tuesday (Nov 10).
