Thatcham Town Council considers ‘substantial expansion’ of taking on litter and dog waste bins from West Berkshire Council

Thatcham Town Council has agreed in principle to adopt some litter and dog waste bins from West Berkshire Council.

Councillors agreed in principle to take on ownership and responsibility for emptying some of the 141 litter and dog waste bins WBC owns in Thatcham at its Finance & General Purposes Committee last Monday (April 28).

But only within the capacity of its £30,000 budget allocated for devolution projects.

It added taking all the bins would leave it facing significant additional costs amounting up to £82,901.68.

WBC currently owns 85 litters (34 on highway land, 51 on recreation land) and 56 dog waste bins in Thatcham.

TTC’s current grounds maintenance contractor Scofell estimated it would cost £18,846.70 to empty the 56 dog waste bins, and £17,469.54 to empty the 51 litter bins once per week.

It added the 34 highways litter bins would cost £11,646.36 – or £46,585.44 if emptied four times per week as recommended, as many are located in laybys containing a lot of waste.

The costs are in addition to the town council’s existing litter and dog bin service.

Costs for any repairs, maintenance or clearance of fly-tipped or excess waste are not included.

The committee resolved to undertake a survey of the locations, level of usage and size of each bin and report back at its next meeting in July.