CONCERNS have been raised that it could cost nearly £40,000 to have all the rubbish bins at parks and open spaces in Wellington emptied three times a week.

Cllr Mark Lithgow told members of Wellington Town Council’s environment committee on October 23 said he was not entirely convinced that the work would get done and was concerned at the draft £37,000 cost for the 2025-26 financial year.

“I’m being cynical and questioning whether every single bin will be emptied three times a week,” he said.

The council’s open spaces manager Darren Hill explained: “It’s seasonal work and it’s not across the board all year that the bins get empted three times a week.”

Other costs for open spaces in outlined in the council’s early draft budget for 2025-26 include spending £30,000 on the locking and unlocking of the gates at Wellington Park, £15,000 for plants and a further £15,000 for watering.