WASTE bosses have warned residents in Tendring there could be a massive increase in collection costs - even if the district moves to fortnightly bin collections.

Earlier this year the Gazette revealed Tendring Council was looking at moving from weekly to fortnightly bin collections as part of its new recycling contract in 2019.

The plans could also see residents given wheelie bins.

Michael Talbot, the council’s cabinet member for the environment, said contractors costs have gone up significantly since the last contract with Veolia was agreed in 2012.

He told a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Friday that it will be a case of considering what is “deliverable” considering the costs.

“We need to take into account what has happened since the last contract was signed in 2012 and that includes the pension changes, increased diesel price, an increase in the minimum wage and other new regulations – all of which have meant extra costs,” he said.

“Having spoken with our existing contractor we would be looking at least £250,000 on top of what we currently pay just to renew the current contract.

“If we went from weekly to fortnightly collections there would still be a massive increase, but with other potential collection changes that can help to improve recycling rates and possibly reducing the amount going to landfill.

“It is not going to be easy and at the end of the day it will come down to what we can afford to pay balanced against what service improvements we can squeeze in.”

Residents were left angry when fortnightly bin collections and wheelie bins were introduced in Colchester earlier this year.

The new service had huge teething problems and residents complained about missed collections.

Mr Talbot promised that councillors will receive an update in the spring, but he ruled out setting up a councillors’ working party- as suggested by the council’s corporate management committee - as he felt it would not help the process.

It is understood that Tendring Council bosses previously considered a three-weekly collection, but that the idea was rejected.