Recycling review for isolated properties

Research has been carried out by Harrogate Borough Council to catalogue properties in small villages and hamlets as well as other difficult to access homes, such as flats, across the district.

The council already provides recycling services to 94 per cent of the district's homes, but further studies will be conducted to establish if collections can be extended to the remaining properties.

The council's cabinet member for the environment, Coun Michael Harrison, gave the go-ahead on Friday for the review.

He said: "People want the recycling service and the council wants to provide it, and I want to make sure that as many homes as possible are covered by the collections."

A 37,500 funding package will pay for a temporary technical officer who will assess properties and match them to an appropriate scheme.A further 100,000 is being set aside to buy additional recycling facilities.

The new recruit, who will have an annual salary of 25,000, will use a van which is being hired for the project and will be aided by an administration assistant.

The 12-month review will involve talks with residents to establish if simple measures, such as introducing a central collection point in villages, are feasible.

National legislation means that the council has a duty to ensure it provides a recycling service for all domestic households - unless there are extenuating circumstances such as unduly high costs.

Nearly a third of all waste across the Harrogate district is recycled, although efforts are under way to increase the amount. Green waste collection bins are due to be delivered to another 10,000 homes during the summer.