EVERY resident in the district is to get the chance to speak out on revolutionary plans for recycling rubbish - at a cost of £30,000.
A questionnaire is going out to 42,000 Wyre Forest homes this week over the frequency of future bin collections and the impact on council tax levels.
The consultation exercise, costing £30,000, will give every resident a voice, said the district council's Health Concern leader Councillor Liz Davies.
"When Health Concern was created, we said we would listen to the people and that is what we are doing."
The issue at the centre of the debate is whether wheelie bins should be collected weekly or fortnightly once a new recycling initiative is introduced gradually from April.
The scheme, designed to dramatically boost the recycling rates in the district, will see every home get recycling boxes for used paper, textiles, glass, plastic and cans.
The boxes will be emptied weekly.
Any leftover rubbish, including grass cuttings, food, nappies and non-recyclable items, will go in wheelie bins.
Council plans to reduce the wheelie bin collections to fortnightly have been opposed on health and hygiene grounds.
Now each household will be asked about two options - keeping their existing bin and having it emptied fortnightly, or getting a new half-sized bin for collection every week.
"Residents will be informed of the cost implications of opting for either alternative," said Andrew Dickens, head of cultural, leisure and commercial services, in a presentation to councillors.
"The estimated full year costs for a fortnightly collection system is £114,300 - the equivalent of £3.43 in council tax for a Band D property. The estimated full year costs for a weekly collection is £562,860 - the impact on council tax for Band D would be £16.87."
Residents will be asked if they would be willing to pay the extra money for a weekly collection.
Mrs Davies added: "If a high percentage of people who respond want a weekly collection, despite the extra cost, then that is what will happen."
Councillor Jamie Shaw, Labour group leader, said the survey was biased towards a fortnightly collection - and claimed extra cash was available to offset the costs of maintaining a weekly service.
The survey will also include questions on the future of Bewdley Museum and Stourport Community Centre.
Residents will be asked if they want to retain each service or not.
Residents have until January 31 to return their forms.
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