A review into Richmondshire’s waste and recycling service has been halted. District Councillors had been looking at measures to increase the amount of recycled material collected to coincide with the replacement of vehicles next year.

They had been considering adding weekly collections of food waste into the programme as well as co-mingling general recycling rather than continuing to collect it separately.

But this week (Tuesday November 9) members of the Corporate Board were told that continuing with the review was not recommended with several factors preventing longer-term decisions being made. The national waste strategy has not yet been concluded and local government reorganisation for North Yorkshire will mean a countywide review of waste and recycling services will be undertaken. Officers from Richmondshire will be part of that review process.

Members agreed to halt the review, continue with the current Richmondshire service, and extend the life of the existing vehicle contracts or enter into temporary hire arrangements where needed.