Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Fortnightly collections will be the norm for Wiltshire.

A recent public consultation on changes to waste and recycling collections in Wiltshire got over 10,000 replies, with 70% of people supporting the Council's proposal to move to fortnightly collections across the county and to improve recycling.

Next Tuesday the Wiltshire Council Cabinet will agree to the implementation of the changes. Cabinet will also agree to an 'area by area' phasing of new services, to minimise disruption and to assist residents during the change. Enforcement action will be used against those who repeatedly fail to use the correct receptacle for recycling, or create side waste, after a "settling down" period of six months.

The scheme is basically the one I promoted in my manifesto for the 2009 WC election but, to be fair, both the major parties also realised that something had to be done about Wiltshire's waste collection system.

Next year all households will be given a wheelie bin to put their cardboard and plastics in; this will be the only change for Hilperton residents.

Introduction of the changes will be phased with the extended recycling arriving in west Wiltshire next August.