Bin collections to remain weekly

Lib Dem councillors have agreed that weekly refuse collections will stay in Newcastle.

A resolution was agreed at their Annual General Meeting to retain the council's existing commitment to weekly bin collections for the foreseeable future.

They also pledged to continue to improve recycling rates.

It follows recent news that the Lib Dem administration has raised recycling rates in the city to 25% since taking power in 2004.

The Lib Dem group is strongly in favour of replacing the unpopular black box recycling system introduced by their Labour predecessors with a separate wheelie bin for recyclable waste when the current recycling collection contract expires.

Castle councillor Ian Laverick ruled out fortnightly collections at this time.

"We are not convinced that a move to fortnightly collections is appropriate for Newcastle at present," he says.

"We will resist Government efforts to force this on us. We believe local residents will support our position on this issue.

"However we are committed to continue to improve recycling rates in Newcastle."