WEEKLY bin collections will be offered to Rochford flats and food waste collection improved in Southend after a £2million government cash windfall.

The Government has awarded Southend Council £1.635 million to relaunch its food waste collection service and Rochford District Council £6,000,000 to introduce weekly collections of general waste for residents who live in flats.

Councillor Mike Steptoe, Rochford District Council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “Given the current climate surrounding local authority finances, we have had to think innovatively about how we can continue to improve services for our residents in a cost-effective way.

“Having rolled out our successful recycling scheme to flats across the district recently, we are consistently looking at ways that we can encourage our residents to make a difference to their environment.”

Rochford District Council will use the grant, which will be provided over three years, to buy two new collection vehicles and new bins in the first year. It will be used to maintain the vehicles and to provide the extra crews in the second and third years.

Southend Council, which already collects bins weekly, bid for the cash to improve its food waste collection service after residents complained the scheme was not customer friendly.

It aims to relaunch the service with a marketing campaign, provide an incentive scheme and offer free compostable liners for fodd waste caddies.

The council hopes to continue the improved service after the three-year grant runs out.

James Duddridge, Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East, said: “Southend Council was always right to stick with weekly bin collections when others were following a different path.

“That decision has now been vindicated.

“It is great news and it will mean a better recycling service for residents.”

The collection of dry recyclables will continue on a fortnightly basis in Rochford and the collection arrangements from houses will be unaffected.