Weekly bin collections could return in Hyndburn.

The leader of the council, Miles Parkinson, said the council was considering plans to reintroduce the emptying of black wheelie bins every seven days.

The move comes after communities secretary Eric Pickles MP announced a £250 million fund to reinstate the weekly collections saying they were a "basic right" for homes.

Weekly waste collections ceased across Hyndburn in 2003 with food and recycling waste being collected on alternate weeks instead.

John Drinkwater, chairman of Fern Gore Residents Association, said some residents would welcome a return to weekly collections. He added: "If there are weekly collections it would make the area cleaner and people’s rubbish would not be hanging around for days.

"They bring these large wagons down the roads and the back streets to collect all the waste and sometimes it can cause damage.

"The collections could help some people like those with larger families. It could also lessen the chance of fly tipping. We will have to see what happens."

Coun Parkinson said: "We will look at the funding stream and see what it means but it will have to be a substantial payment as we would have to double staff and vehicles."

But he said that a lot of residents were happy with the alternate collection.

He said: "A lot of residents are now settled on alternate collections but of course if there was funding directed in the long term it would be considered."

Hyndburn Council will now analyse the figures to determine whether it is feasible to make the switch in the "long term" but warned that tax payers could pick up the bill if funding is cut after a few years.

Coun Munsif Dad, cabinet member for waste management, warned recycling rates could decrease and lead to council tax increases if more waste is sent to landfill sites.

He said: "We are working to find out how much it would cost. At the moment there is not enough details as to how much money will be available.

"We are happy with the way we are collecting waste and the recycling.

"Recycling rates are currently at 35 per cent and by going to weekly bin collections that could hamper our chances. The money is there for a few years and once you have got yourself into that system you would unfortunately have to pay for it either by increasing council tax or sacrifice something else."

A report will now be drafted by officers and could be presented to councillors as early as next week’s Cabinet meeting.

Tory councillor Peter Clarke said the offer can’t be dismissed ‘out of hand’ but said the council would need to look at ‘any catches’ from accepting the cash.

He added: "Everybody seems to be happy with the system at the moment and if we are offered this then we really need to look closely at it. Whether we change it or not is another decision."

The government says only councils which guarantee weekly collections for five years and demonstrate improvements in recycling and procurement are eligible for the scheme.

The Weekly Collections Support Scheme is being funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) – no other budgets would be cut to pay for the scheme.

Do you want to see the weekly bin collection returned in Hyndburn? Email us at accrington.observer@menmedia.co.uk or submit your comment below ...