FORTNIGHTLY rubbish collections are not likely to be scrapped despite the Government launching a review into how households deal with their waste, according to a senior councillor.

Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has announced the study will look at cutting product packaging and rewarding people for throwing less rubbish away. But some national newspaper reports have said this could also pave the way for a return to weekly collections.

But Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council’s executive member for neighbourhood services, said she did not believe this would happen.

She said: “The system we have in York is working well and people in York understand the resources are not there to have weekly collections and recycling collections.

“Residents have responded magnificently to fortnightly collections, and although there have been some issues about collection points, our recycling rates are going up.

“Caroline Spelman’s review is certainly on the right lines, but I believe it should be up to councils to decide how they deal with waste, with the right support from the Government.”