FEARS are being expressed that merging bin collections across Worcester, Malvern and Wychavon could lead to city residents being worse off.

Councillor Neil Laurenson, from Worcester Green Party, says he is concerned combining south Worcestershire's refuse pick-ups could lead to a "more remote" service.

His view has differed from other politicians, who say the idea could result in major savings.

As your Worcester News revealed on Tuesday, councils in Malvern and Wychavon have bid for £250,000 of Government cash to develop business cases for merging as many services as possible.

Top of the priority list is bin collections, where it is hoped Worcester will join in.

The city council's Conservative leadership has said it is willing to have talks on the potential benefits.

Cllr Laurenson said: "I'm concerned that with any merging of services, 'localism' goes out the window.

"I am not criticising the councils because I know they are stuck between a rock and a hard place, they need to save money.

"But I'm concerned about where it will stop, theoretically I'm not keen on merging such a big service.

"I've seen it in the probation service (where he used to work), where they merged into regions - it flies in the face of localism.

"You would think it could lead to more missed rounds and less local knowledge, logically it would be more likely the response wouldn't be as good."

Other councillors say the suggestion is worthy of being looked at even if it isn't taken up.

Labour Councillor Lynn Denham said: "The present system in Worcester works well although in terms of recycling, we should be doing more to encourage it.

"We would need to look very carefully at the opportunities, but the key thing is that the level of service must not be reduced.

"We wouldn't want to end up in a situation where Worcester taxpayers are subsidising rural areas."

Councillor Liz Smith, a Liberal Democrat, said: "Broadly speaking, I would be interested.

"That would obviously be subject to the detail - my concern would be there are only a few big contractors out there (for bin rounds) and nobody knows how the market will be 10 or 15 years from now, none of us have a crystal ball.

"But I'd be interested in looking at the opportunity."

If Malvern and Wychavon's district councils get the £250,000, a business plan will be drawn up including details on the potential savings and level of service.