Douglas Borough Council and Braddan Commissioners have agreed to an extension of the kerbside collection service. The agreement will see the two local authorities fund and operate the service as a trial period from November 1 2011 until March 31, 2012. The service was established in 2009 as a partnership between Douglas, Braddan and Onchan and funded by the then Department of Local Government and Environment, now the Department of Infrastructure, for a three-year period only which will terminate on October 31, 2011. Chairman of Douglas Borough Council’s Public Works Committee Councillor David Ashford said: ‘While it is regrettable that Onchan has resolved not to continue with providing the service, Douglas and Braddan remain committed and believe the cost, which for Douglas will be ?85,000, to extend the service is fully justified.’ Clerk to Braddan Commissioners Colin Whiteway said: ‘We are pleased to continue our partnership with Douglas Borough Council, as the Commissioners firmly believe that although the service has a financial cost that is far outweighed by the environmental savings. Additionally, with greater efficiencies and economies of scale that I am sure will emerge from this trial, we see opportunities for the service to become more cost effective in the longer term.’ Councillor Ashford continued: ‘This five-month trial period will allow us to work with Braddan and in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure to evaluate the viability of continuing to operate the service permanently. Since its inception the service has been well received by the public and its efficacy substantiated by an independent verification report that states “the Kerbside Collection Recycling Service is by far the best option and has the best consequent environmental outcome…when compared with recycling through bring banks or sending the same material to the Energy from Waste plant”. ‘I am pleased that our partners in Braddan share our commitment to responsible waste management and vision for a greener future for the Isle of Man.’ ENDS