WEEKLY bin collections for general waste could return to Potters Bar and Hertsmere after the Government announced a new £250m fund.

Councils will be offered financial support to restore weekly rubbish collections under plans unveiled by local government secretary Eric Pickles last night.

The scheme is expected to begin from next April, when funding will be available to councils who guarantee to retain or reinstate weekly collections for at least five years.

Labour Councillor Ernie Butler (Borehamwood Cowley Hill) is apprehensive about the news, fearful it could affect recycling and waste money.

He said: “I think we’ve got to encourage recycling. The system we have got here works pretty well, we don’t need extra collections in this borough.”

To tackle concerns the extra black bin collections could affect the amount people recycle; local authorities will need to make pledges to improve recycling rates and reduce fly-tipping to secure the Government cash.

More details of the scheme are due to be announced by Eric Pickles at the Conservative party conference in Manchester, which starts on Sunday, October 2.