EIGHTY-SIX bins could be scrapped across the valley – and seven recycling sites abolished – under a major review of street cleansing.

Councillors have been told that 14per cent of the valley’s bins, said to be under-used, could be removed to allow cleansing crews to concentrate on ‘hot spots’.

One large road sweeper and a street sweeper could also be removed from service as part of a review by the borough council's corporate overview and scrutiny committee.

And new restrictions would be introduced for garden waste collection rounds – by refusing to pick up from homes which only have ‘back yards’, limiting each property to one brown bin, and reduced collections for remote areas.

The moves have been triggered by the authority’s need to find £1.3million savings during this financial year.

Coun Pete Roberts chaired the five-strong ‘task and finish’ group which was asked to look at the street cleansing service, alongside Coun Granville Morris, Coun Steve Hughes, Coun Dorothy Farrington, and Coun Annabel Shipley.

In their final report, it was said: “The task group understands the complexities and work needed to be undertaken around some of the recommendations, but feels they are needed in this difficult financial climate although, where possible, any decisions should not be at the detriment to the cleanliness of the borough.”

Removing the refuse bins would allow one of three mobile gangs to be axed. Further consideration may also be given to the removal of dog waste bins.

The task group recommended the abolition of seven recycling sites at Waterfoot, Edenfield, Stacksteads, Rawtenstall’s Asda, Hall Street, in Whitworth, Dean Lane, in Water, and Haslingden Sports Centre.

This is said to have been suggested because the council already offers a door-step collection service for recycling.

Four similar sites, at the Rawtenstall Tesco, two in Crawshawbooth, and one in Helmshore, have already been closed, mainly due to misuse by fly tippers.

The task group’s recommendations will be discussed by the scrutiny committee on Monday, ahead of recommendations being made to the authority’s executive.