PEOPLE across Worcester are being asked for their views on a controversial move to outsource bin collections to a private company.

The city council has launched a six-week consultation into the potential changes to its 'cleaner and greener' department which could implicate more than 100 jobs.

As your Worcester News first revealed last year, from 2017 bosses aim to save taxpayers £500,000 a year by handing bin collections, street cleaning and park maintenance to the private sector.

It would see around 111 in-house roles go, with the council aiming for as many jobs as possible to transfer over.

The Conservative leadership is behind the idea, insisting contract stipulations would maintain the current high service standards, but the opposition Labour group and lone Green are strongly opposed, fearing cuts.

Called 'Keeper Worcester Clean and Green', the consultation is an attempt to try and get a sense of public opinion before it develops further.

Councillor Andy Roberts, the cabinet member for a clean, green and safe city, said: "We want to make sure local people get their voices heard in this important process. "We want to know which parts of these services they most value, and we also want to know what they want from the new contractor.

"I know many city residents will have strong views on street cleaning, bin collections, the provision of dog bins and much more - so this is the time for them to make their voices heard.

"Their responses will help us shape the process we use to find the right contractor, which will start in earnest next year."

A new statement released from the council says "the majority" of staff in the affected areas are expected to transfer their employment over.

The move on bin collections is expected to see one contract signed with district councils in Malvern and Wychavon to cover the whole of south Worcestershire.

Street cleaning and park maintenance is expected to come under a second contract, with bosses hoping to officially start the hunt for one or more private providers in February.

The deals are expected to start from September 2017.

To have a say visit worcester.gov.uk/voiceit or collect a hard copy of the consultation from The Hive, Guildhall, Commandery or any community centres by the end of this week.

The consultation runs until Friday, December 18.

The £500,000 targeted saving is around 10 per cent of the department's £5 million annual spend.