The City Council were not informed that this announcement was due to be made following a decision several months ago not to proceed with reinstatement of weekly collections.

The City Council has signed a joint refuse and recycling contract in partnership with East Hampshire District Council based on the current alternate bin collection method which has proved successful for both authorities. The contract achieved joint savings of over £2 million with the aim of maintaining current recycling levels around 40%. Any changes to this contract are likely to prove expensive and could have a detrimental affect on our recycling rates.

We will be looking at the announcement in more detail once the new contract is established but we do not have any immediate plans to reinstate weekly collections. Any future decision would have to be agreed with our partners at East Hampshire, be cost effective and maintain or improve future recycling rates.