The Redbridge Labour administration has published plans to bring the council’s waste collection service back in-house.

The report, which is due to go to cabinet on the January 15, proposes that the switch should be made when the current contract expires in August 2019.

Currently, staff for household waste, fly tipping collection and the council’s free bulky waste service is supplied by the outsourcing firm Amey.

The previous administration made the decision to outsource workers while the council picked up the cost of maintaining a fleet of refuse vehicles.

Residents will continue to get their weekly refuse collection and, from March 2018, will also receive a free fortnightly garden waste collection.

Cllr John Howard, cabinet member for environment and sustainability, said:“Everything we do at Redbridge Council is about getting the best value for money for local taxpayers.

“That’s why we’re proud to be taking waste collection service being back in-house.

“This means that resident’s money will go directly to local services for local people rather than into the profits of private companies.”

Cllr Howard said this move will really benefit the borough and as a result, the council will be able to invest in technology and new, innovative ways to keep the streets clean and stop the blight of fly-tipping and dumping.

“The previous Conservative administration left us with a legacy of poor contracts that simply don’t work for residents of Redbridge,” he added.

“Labour is working hard to re-negotiate or end contracts that don’t provide our residents with the best value for money.”