RESIDENTS are assured there will be no noticeable changes after West Dorset District Council and Weymouth and Portland Borough Council join the Dorset Waste Partnership.

The two authorities became full members of the partnership from this month and will work with five other Dorset councils to deliver waste services in a bid to drive down costs by £2million a year.

Rubbish collections, street sweeping and seafront cleaning will be delivered by the partnership on the two council’s behalf and staff have been transferred to the employment of Dorset County Council, with no redundancies made.

It is also hoped that the Dorset Waste Partnership will increase the county’s recycling rate from 50 per cent to 65 per cent by 2016.

Local councillors will continue to have their say on how waste services are delivering, with the partnership overseen by a joint committee of two members from each authority.

Director of the Dorset Waste Partnership, Steve Burdis, claimed the transfer of the service would be a ‘seamless transition’.

He said: “I’m delighted to welcome colleagues in West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland, who will help us manage our waste together and drive down costs across the county.

“All partners have worked hard to make this a seamless transition.

“Residents should notice no difference to their services from April and we will, of course, inform them about any future changes well in advance.

“The partnership represents each council equally and local councillors from all partners will continue to have a say in how services are provided.”

The Dorset Waste Partnership aims to reduce costs and increase recycling by replacing 12 different systems with the ‘recycle for Dorset’ collection service with Weymouth and Portland expected to take part in the scheme in the 2013/14 financial year and West Dorset joining in 2014/15.

Residents’ collection services remain unchanged for the time being and vehicles and staff uniforms will change to Dorset Waste Partnership branding when they need replacing.

Details of any changes will be sent to residents months in advance and will also be published online at www.dors etforyou.com/recyclefordorset.

Collection calendars for West Dorset will be renewed shortly with residents able to check their next collection dates online at www.dorsetforyou. com/mylocal.