The possibility of changing the frequency of collecting refuse has generated a good deal of interest in your columns.

One option for the future is to collect recyclable materials from homes one week followed by "residual" waste the next. Such a two-week cycle has been introduced by many councils up and down the country.

No decision has yet been made for Warrington and any change would only be introduced after extensive consultation with the people in the town. The consultation would take into account any special circumstances such as the size of bin required for larger families. If any change were made, then this would be introduced on a trial basis in a few selected areas before rolling it out across the whole town.

The new administration at the Town Hall welcomes this interest because improving recycling rates is an important priority for us. Apart from the benefits to the environment, we must recycle more because the amount that can be sent to landfill is being decreased by the Government. The response by the public to calls from the council for more recycling has been quite magnificent and there has been a significant increase in recycling rates recently. The green bin scheme has been particularly popular.

It is sheer hypocrisy for the Labour Party to criticise us for considering alternate week collections. On March 7, 2005, the executive board of the then Labour-run council agreed "that all full council be minded to approve a preferred option, based on alternative weekly collection of recyclables and residual waste".

Clr Ian Marks and Clr Keith Bland Leader and Deputy Leader Warrington Borough Council