BASILDON Council has said thanks to the 7,760 people who shared their views about theauthority's waste collection services in a recent consultation, which included options to return to weekly collections for non-recyclable waste

 The consultation launched on Monday, 5 August and ran for a period of eight weeks to seek residents' views on the borough's current waste and recycling service, and possible future changes.

Within the first 24 hours, the consultation received 2,036 responses - almost eight times the number of responses to previous consultations on waste, and a record for consultations launched by the council.

7,760 people shared their views in the consultation in total. Responses were collected through the online consultation platform, at waste roadshows, and via paper copies at borough libraries.

All responses will now be reviewed before final proposals are presented to the Cabinet later in the year.

When it launched in January 2023, the previous consultation on non-recyclable waste collections received 4,137 responses in total.

"Our residents made it clear that they are deeply, deeply unhappy with the present waste collection system, cabinet member for Environment and Leisure, Cllr Aidan McGurran, said: "That's a wrap for the Waste Consultation. I would firstly like to say a huge thank you to the 7,760 people who took part in the consultation – your views will ensure that the new waste collection service will be fit for purpose, and more importantly, provide a service that you truly want.

"We will be reviewing all of your responses in the coming weeks to inform the final proposals for waste collections which I will present to the Cabinet for approval soon.

"Our residents made it clear that they are deeply, deeply unhappy with the present waste collection system.

"This administration has moved at pace to carry out a genuine consultation and enter formal discussions with Essex County Council. I promise you the changes to the waste collection system will be guided by what you the residents have told us.

"When we were elected to lead this council back in May, we promised that we would fix the bins – we are keeping that promise.

"I look forward to sharing important updates with residents in the coming months on the future of this service – watch this space."