Frodsham's Ward Councillor, Lynn Riley, is encouraging residents to participate in a Cheshire West and Chester Waste Strategy consultation.

In the consultation, the authority sets out two options for 'kerbside waste collection', in a proposal which will shape such services for the next decade.

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.

However, 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 survey also suggests the possibility of charging for garden waste collections.

Speaking at Monday's Frodsham Town Council meeting, Cllr Riley said: "I'd urge everybody to have a look at this.

"Although there are some very interesting ideas and thoughts in there, I'm a little disappointed that we don't seem to have factored in the last year, where we have all lived our lives quite differently.

"I sat on a task group which did try to push this in a direction that I think is more sensible. Our hopes were that the new bin service could be tailored to [individual households].

"We know, for example, where a lot of our elderly residents live. They tend not to be high waste generators, unless there is medical waste.

"So, wouldn't it be great if we offered them a different service to perhaps a family of five?

This might be achieved by offering a form of 'bonus or incentive' to people volunteering for less frequent bin collections.

"Those opportunities are there now and that, to me, is what a modern waste service could and should do," Cllr Riley said.

She went on to reference plans to move towards a more community-based healthcare service in future, with patients being treated in their homes for as long as possible.

This 'support system' would be more difficult to implement if medical waste were to be left uncollected for longer periods.

"I think we need a waste service that supports our lives, not just allows the Council to empty the bins within its own budget," Cllr Riley said.

"It's really important that as we recover and work through what we've learnt in the pandemic, we have services that wrap around how we live our lives, not just a 'one-size-fits-all'.

"What we really want is for people to share their input. Sadly, no consultation is ever fully representative because so few people respond to them.

"We've got a long way to go yet so please do spread the word and encourage people to share whatever thoughts they have."

Cllr Riley added that she is expecting Cheshire West's upcoming 2021-22 Budget to involve a council tax rise for residents, and applauded FTC for having reduced its precept request for the coming year.

You can read a more detailed account of the Waste Strategy proposals and complete the survey on the Council website.

Alternatively, you can send your comments to [email protected] or send them to Waste Strategy Consultation, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Wyvern House, The Drumber, Winsford. CW7 1AH

The consultation will close on 18 March 2021.