I WISH to make it absolutely clear that our decision to return to a weekly collection of grey bins will last for the foreseeable future and it is a distinct possibility it will become permanent.

Before, and if, any further changes are made to the scheme, we want to ensure that the public are fully consulted and to this end we will be carrying out a full evaluation of these first three months to build on the lessons learned.

Our political opponents accuse us of an election gimmick, yet they fully supported the pilot scheme at the time and only changed their position when they realised it was causing difficulties in some areas.

I make no apologies for opting for a period of evaluation and reflection so that we can assess all the various experiences from the pilot, although for some we are still criticised for this decision.

In recycling terms the pilot areas have saved over 2,500 tons of waste from going direct to landfill, and this is something we should all be celebrating and not exploiting for some narrow political gain. Now that the weekly collection is to be reinstated, I hope all residents will continue to co-operate with us to make recycling in Bury the success it deserves to be over time.

COUNCILLOR WAYNE CAMPBELL,

deputy leader, Bury MBC.