THREE weekly rubbish collections will be introduced in Powys from Monday, November 2, it has been confirmed.

Powys County Council’s cabinet approved the switch from fortnightly collections of household rubbish at its Tuesday, October 6 meeting at County Hall in Llandrindod Wells.

The independent controlled council says the move will generate savings of more than £480,000 in a full year and claims it will boost to the county’s overall recycling rates – the county has to reach a 58 per cent recycling rate for the financial year 2015/16 under stringent Welsh Government targets.

Cabinet member for environmental services, Councillor John Powell said: "The service is facing the twin pressures of finding significant financial savings as part of the council’s overall budget response and meeting increasing and very challenging recycling targets set by the Welsh Government with severe financial penalties if we fail."

Cllr Powell said analysis of rubbish collected in Powys showed 32.81 per cent of waste in wheelie bins or purple sacks could be placed in the council’s kerbside collection boxes.

"Moving to a three weekly rubbish collection system will deliver savings and ensure that even more of our waste is recycled. There is a long way to go to meet the Welsh Government’s targets and there will be even tougher limits in years to come. With residents support we can meet both our budget and recycling targets," he added.

In August Brecon’s Labour councillor Matthew Dorrance claimed the council was unclear if the switch would improve its recycling rates and said it would be unpopular with residents.

Householders will receive an information pack detailing changes to rubbish collections later this month though food waste and recycling will continue to be collected on a weekly basis.