SHOPPERS and readers have largely slammed potential changes to bin collections.

The Leader reported on Wednesday that black bin collections for household waste in Flintshire could be reduced to once every three weeks after politicians warned of the ‘dire’ consequences of Welsh Government cuts.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas, Flintshire Council's cabinet member for streetscene and countryside, warned that cutting the frequency of collections is a real possibility after it emerged the council was one of the worst hit authorities following last week’s Welsh Government funding announcement.

The Leader spoke with shoppers in Mold to find out their views about the potential changes.

Joyce Parry-Owen, 87, from Hope, said: "It is disgusting - if you have families it is going to be a problem because you'll have more waste."

Ann Grafton, 53, from Mold, said: "This is ridiculous. We can just get through with the collections as they are but not once every three weeks.

"They don't take excess rubbish as it is - how do they think it is going to work if they change it?"

John Birch, 57, from Widnes, who was visiting Mold, said: "The collections have become once every two weeks in Widnes and that is awful - we have to take a lot of things to the tip.

"I think one collection every three weeks would be a very difficult thing."

Joyce Thomas, 81, from Pantymwyn, said: "I can't understand why they keep putting the council tax up and things seem to be getting worse.

"It will be very hard on families if they change it."

Mike Hughes from Halkyn said: "I don't think it is fair for people with families. If they do change the collections to once every three weeks people are going to be dumping their rubbish and fly tipping."

A Broughton resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I would sooner pay a bit more and have it collected regularly.

"They should keep it as it is. No one wants their bins overflowing."

One couple who asked not to be named, told the Leader they would have little reason for complaint if the changes went ahead.

Readers also took to the Leader's Facebook page to have their say.

Mark Worrall said: "Just give us bigger bins then! I’m already recycling as much as possible and still struggle to fit everything in for a bi-weekly collection."

Jane Phillips posted: "If that’s the case then they should lower the council tax as when you pay it then you’ve already paid for your bins to be emptied so everyone needs a refund for the weeks they’re not emptied.

"Also if we need to go to the skip with our bin rubbish then we should bill the council for doing their job for them."

Reg Mcilwain said: "Unnecessary strain will be placed upon the recycling centres, sincerely hope they will increase the staffing at these centres and get their act together with skip switch overs."

Speaking about the possible changes at an environment scrutiny committee meeting, Cllr Thomas said: “No decision has been made, but with the cuts being put forward at the moment to close the gap I’m not quite sure what we can do.

“We can’t say no to moving forwards with three weekly collections.

“It will give us a saving of £800,000 moving forward. It is something that could be a possibility at the moment.

“It’s a real concern about where we’re going to take money from the budget.

“If we still want to collect recycling as outlined by the Welsh Government and to follow their legislation, we’re going to need funding to do it.”

Flintshire Council has been approached for a comment.