[g jones]

I haven't had chance to read the thread so apologies. This is about two things, money and recycling.

1) There is a definite link between recycling and fortnightly collections so it saves the environment and provides raw materials for the Council to sell, albeit the prices have gone down.

2) Whinney Hill will fill up quicker (30 years left so within my lifetime if I live that long) and it will be filled by all the surrounding authorities who will bring debris and traffic particularly to those areas nearby.

3) Landfill charges are rising by the tonne as a result. Regulation and market forces.

4) European Landfill Tax's are rising steeply. The more you deposit the more you to pay. The Tories wanted to make each local authority (rather than UK govt which pays all EU fines as now) liable for waste above the permitted allowance. I argued in Parliament in Committee and in the Commons against this (surprisingly) the ministers gave way. The law says Hyndburn must increase its recycling from 38% to 50% and it is obvious why this is so.

5) The Council's current wagons run 5 full days. So 5 new wagons at £150,000 each would be required - £750,000. The recycling would continue so no saving there. Each wagon requires a crew of 5 costing around £100,000 each per year plus holiday and sickness cover. Thats a further £600k on the Council Tax every year OR £20 each per year excluding vehicles (another £4 over 8 years inc interest?). Options that might save money may be weekend collections, night collections but that would bring in higher costs, wagon wear out and problems around access such as for the elderley.

Considering on average most people pay around £240 to Hyndburn Council per year, thats a 10% Council Tax increase. Add the increased tipping costs of £100k which I have not included?

Doesn't stack up no matter how convenient or appealing. The Governments £250m may provide the first £500k or so to Hyndburn Council (354 authorities - many large unitaries) but leaves a huge bill thereafter.