Tag: budget cuts

Lewisham Council has backed off the idea of making green recycling bin collections fortnightly instead of weekly as they are now.

The Council confirmed that in a response to a Freedom of Information request from the Taxpayers Alliance, it said it was investigating the idea, but has now decided not to go ahead.

The Council told the Lee Manor Society ” We have no plans to change waste and recycling collection frequency. Food and recycling collections will remain weekly; waste collections will remain fortnightly.

“We responded to an FOI request that asked if we had considered changing the frequency of our recycling collections. While the idea was put forward for consideration, it was never progressed. Any change would be subject to consultation.”

Council sources, however, say it’s not surprising Lewisham is looking at a range of options for saving money. Like most local authorities it is under a lot of financial pressure.

Lewisham Council’s 2024/25 budget includes a forecast net deficit of £1.764 million, after using £21.7 million from reserves to help bridge the gap.  

Lewisham Council has confirmed that it is looking at the idea of reducing its recycling bin collections to every other week, as it currently does with general waste bins.

In a response to a Freedom of Information request from the Taxpayers Alliance, the Council confirmed that it is investigating the possibility of providing alternate weekly recycling collections which are currently weekly .

Lee Manor Society has asked the Council for details of when this idea was discussed by Councillors.

Council sources say it’s unsurprising that Lewisham is looking at the idea, since like all local authorities it has a large financial deficit. In the coming year it will have a deficit of £1.7 million after using £21.7 million of its reserves to bridge the gap.

The Taxpayers Alliance reported this week that one in ten councils are considering cutting bin collections, including in some cases going to once every four weeks.