Challenge to three-weekly bin collection rejected

A Conservative challenge to the introduction of black bin collections every three weeks from 2027 has been defeated.

West Northamptonshire Council, run by Reform UK, voted to bring its twice-weekly general waste collections in the Northampton and South Northants areas in line with the system that has been in place in the Daventry area since 2018.

It would see weekly food waste collections, fortnightly recycling pick-ups, and general waste bins emptied every three weeks from next spring.

The Conservatives said the model was "not appropriate" for Northampton, but an extraordinary meeting of the council's scrutiny and overview committee rejected the challenge.

Although the panel was able to debate the matter and make recommendations, it has no power to overrule the administration's decision.

Conservative group leader Daniel Lister said: "Imposing the Daventry model on Northampton, without any specific area evidence, is not appropriate harmonisation."

Sally Keeble, Labour group leader, said: "I don't understand why the overarching aim is harmonisation because for me the overarching aim needs to be about the provision of the best possible waste and refuse collection service that we can deliver in West Northants, bearing in mind this is the universal service above all others that everyone uses."

Addressing the concerns about three-weekly general waste collections in Northampton, the council's assistant director of waste Fiona Unett confirmed: "Only properties with wheeled bins will have three-weekly collections.

"[There will be] no change for other properties who have sack collection or communal bins."

A petition opposing the changes, started a week before the cabinet decision, had now reached nearly 3,000 signatures.

Nigel Stansfield, Reform's cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste, said: "It's only fair that residents in Daventry get the same service as people anywhere else."

A motion put forward by the Conservative leader and supported by the Labour leader to take the decision back to cabinet was rejected.

The committee instead agreed that no further action should be taken.

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