ST SAMPSON’S could reduce rubbish collections to once a week. Parishioners will be asked on Thursday whether they want to maintain the status quo of two or cut one and save money.

‘It’s up to the parish if it wants one or two,’ said senior constable Phil Gallienne.

‘The douzaine is of the opinion to stick with two because it’s more reasonable and there’s not a huge amount of difference money wise from the tenders we have seen.’

He added that people were concerned about the cost of refuse rates, which were rising as the gate price at Mont Cuet continued to climb.

But having only one collection a week could be problematic for people living in flats.

‘We’ve looked at everything we can to help reduce the rates – with the contract, with the new tenders. At the end of the day, it’s up to the parishioners to voice their opinions.’

Mr Gallienne said the douzaine had received letters and phone calls questioning the need for two collections.

‘The more people we have along to voice their opinion, the better. Parishioners are not always great at coming forward to these meetings.’

He would not confirm what savings moving to one collection would make.

Route Carre resident Hilary Sowerby, 64, liked having two collections.

‘The advantage is you don’t have to store as much,’ she said.

‘We’re a big family – there’s four adults and two children – so we generate a lot, although we recycle a lot as well.’

Her household produces four bags of refuse a week, after recycling all cardboard, plastic bottles and newspapers.

Another Route Carre resident, Nickie Paul, 33, said a change would not affect her family.

She lives with husband Barney and eight-week-old son Alex.

‘It probably wouldn’t bother us. We only put out rubbish once a week. We’ve only got two of us plus the little one and don’t need two collections.’

She added that there was more that could be recycled if people were given the option.

The public meeting takes place at Hautes Capelles School at 7.30pm.

* The average islander last year generated more than a third of a tonne of household refuse – the equivalent of 14 bags of coal.