BOROUGH environment boss Jim Smith has slapped down a proposal to move from weekly to fortnightly rubbish bin collections in Blackburn with Darwen.

Liberal Democrat leader David Foster suggested the move would help him save cash.

When the full Council Forum debated how best to save £31 million over the three years between 2015 and 2018, the Whitehall councillor said moving to alternate forntnighly general waste and recyclable collection could save cash.

Coun Foster welcomed Coun Smith’s proposals to reduce the number of bin rounds from ten to nine.

He said in addition to that, replacing the current burgundy general rubbish bins with larger size used for recyclable waste enabling fortnightly collections for both would be an effective way to reduce spending.

Coun Smith rejected the proposal.

He said: “We have already looked at this idea.

“There is no appetite from residents to move away from weekly collections.

“They like the current system.

“We examined this issue last year and it would not save any significant sums of money because of the cost of replacing the existing bins and altered the lorries to handle them.

“In addition Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles is opposed to abandoning weekly collections, so even if we changed we might have the change back.

“When he was deputy leader of the coalition, Coun Foster insisted on weekly collections.”

Council Tory group leader Mike Lee said: “I think this idea is a non-starter.

“It’s not what our residents want.

“They like their weekly bin collections.”

Coun Foster said since he opposed moving to fortnightly collections, the level of recycling in the borough had dramatically increased.

He added: “In the current situation, fortnightly general waste collections would be workable.

“Any initial capital cost would be recouped in the long run.”

Mr Pickles told the Lancashire Telegraph: “Rubbish collections are the most visible service that people get for their council tax bill.

“People deserve a comprehensive weekly service in return for their taxes.

“We have exposed the false fictions fortnightly bin barons cling to as excuses for cutting services.”