RESIDENTS have just one week left to have their say on Cheshire West and Chester Council plans which could see bins collected once every three weeks.

The consultation launched in January and is part of the council’s ‘10-year strategy’ on waste collection and recycling.

It describes the current waste service in the borough, the challenges and opportunities the council faces over the next 10 years, and asks for feedback on proposed key priorities for the new waste strategy and the options currently being considered.

In the consultation, the authority sets out two options for 'kerbside waste collection'.

Option A sees household waste 'collected every two weeks using a 180 litre bin, recycling waste collected every two weeks using two bins, garden waste collected every two weeks using a 240 litre bin', and food waste collected every week using a caddy.

But, under option B, general waste would be 'collected every three weeks using a 240 litre bin, recycling waste collected every three weeks using two bins - one bin for paper and card, one bin for other recyclables - [and] garden waste collected every three weeks using a 240 litre bin’, with food waste collection the same as in option A.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment, highways and strategic transport, Cllr Karen Shore said: "We are preparing a new strategy to ensure that our vision and priorities reflect the needs of our communities, are aligned to emerging national plans and policies, as well as helping to address the climate emergency.

"The new strategy will also help us to ensure that waste collection and recycling services are managed in cost-effective way, to address the unprecedented budget challenges faced by the Council.

"So far we have received more than 13,000 responses to the consultation, which is wonderful.

"Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get involved – if you haven’t taken part yet, it’s not too late to give your views."

The consultation closes on Thursday, March 18 and residents can give their views by taking part online at cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/wasteconsultation.

Comments can also be sent to the council via WasteConsultationResidents@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or by post.

Results will be published on the council’s website ahead of bringing a recommended waste strategy for final approval by the council in July.