I HAVE mixed feelings this week on a major issue.

As you are no doubt aware, one of the main responsibilities of a district council is the collection of rubbish and recycling.

Every week we collect these from close to 48,000 households.

For the past year, we have been trialling a new collection scheme in part of the district – the Stanleys – which involves the separate collection of food waste for composting.

The scheme diverts this waste from landfill and at the same time means that it can be recycled – a great environmental win. The trial itself has gone spectacularly well.

Working closely with residents we have been able to put together a scheme that 93 per cent of them are happy with. The residents involved in the focus group also went on to win national awards for their efforts.

Readers may also be interested to know that the trial system, which involves using sealed plastic containers for waste, and non-food waste being collected fortnightly, did not cause vermin problems.

Of the 29 wards in the district, the Stanleys ranked 23rd lowest for the number of rat complaints per 100 households – testimony to the hard work of the residents and council staff to ensure that we did not end up with the problems which are reported regularly in other parts of the country.

We were hoping to build on the success of the trial by using it to develop a new collection system for the whole district. But, at an additional cost of £2.36 million a year, it would be too onerous on the taxpayer - particularly at a time of recession.

This cost, compounded with the market for recyclable materials falling through the floor, means that we have to look at putting our plans on hold.

The great work of the 1,700 households involved in the trial is to be applauded.

It is just a huge shame that the uncertainty caused by the costs and the downturn is holding us back from rolling out a new system – for the time being anyway.

Do you agree with Chas Fellows' views? leave your comment here...