BASILDON Council’s mission to “fix the bins” and revert back to weekly collections kicks off today as it launches a consultation with residents.

Following the switch to bi-weekly collections under the former Tory administration, residents were left furious as uncollected rubbish and huge piles of waste lined the streets.

In the lead up to the May elections, the Labour Party vowed to “fix the bins” and return weekly-bin collections to the residents of Basildon.

Despite millions being spent on the changes - which included fortnightly wheelie-bin collections and a new recycling scheme - the new Labour-led administration promised to bring back weekly general-waste pick-ups.

The new consultation launches today, including options to return to weekly collections for non-recyclable waste, and changes to the collection of recyclable waste.

Basildon Council believes residents will benefit from the changes and keep costs down.

Aidan McGurran, councillor for environment and leisure, said: “We know that many of our residents have very strong views on the current service on offer because they have been telling us, but this is now their chance to shape how we move forward. 

“When we were elected to lead Basildon Council back in May, we committed to residents that we would fix the bins. We have moved as quickly as we are able to launch this consultation and get things moving.

“This consultation is residents’ opportunity to have their voices heard on what is and isn’t working for them, or what they would like to see more of. We want to hear from as many people as possible. All responses will be considered before proposals are presented to cabinet later this year.

“The last administration carried out a consultation, but then went ahead with fortnightly black-bin collections that residents had made clear they didn’t want. We won’t be making that mistake. This will be a genuine consultation.” 

The new, borough-wide consultation launches today for eight weeks, aiming to get residents’ views and opinions on the current waste and recycling service, and possible changes.

The consultation will be available online, with resident surveys available in person, at the Basildon Centre, or over the phone.