Reform UK councillors are challenging Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) over its decision to move general rubbish collections to fortnightly, amid warnings of potential council tax rises of almost 10%.

Since October 5, most households across the borough have had their black bins emptied once every two weeks instead of weekly.

Reform UK councillors say residents are paying more while receiving a reduced service, pointing to the council's financial plans which assume council tax increases of 9.99% in each of the next two years.

The party claims the changes will save money to help address the council's budget shortfall, rather than reduce residents' bills.

Cllr Paul Goldingay, Reform UK councillor for Fordbridge, said: "Residents are paying more and getting less.

"The Conservatives chose to halve general waste collections, and their own website admits the savings are going to plug a hole in the council's budget, not back into residents' pockets."

Reform is also questioning the reduction in general waste capacity, the use of plastic bags to line food waste caddies and the potential environmental impact of food waste digestate on farmland.

Cllr Samantha Gethen, Leader of the Opposition on SMBC, said: "This is an administration that has run out of road.

"It has put council tax up by almost 5%, started charging for garden waste and now cut bin collections in half.

"And its own budget papers are already lining residents up for 10% rises in each of the next two years."

A SMBC spokesperson said weekly food waste collections were introduced at the start of October to meet a Government requirement for all councils in England.

The spokesperson said: "To coincide with the provision of weekly food waste collections, Cabinet agreed in 2024 that the collection frequency of non-recyclable waste (black bins, purple sacks, and communal rubbish) be changed to fortnightly.

"This is in line with most councils across the country and encourages residents to make full use of our recycling service."

Responding to concerns about food waste caddy liners, the council said lining them was optional and residents could use any bag apart from a black bag.

It added that recycling food waste could generate more clean energy by reducing the amount of waste burned and produce nutrient-rich fertiliser for local farms.

Reform UK councillors say they will formally raise their questions with the council's administration and report back to residents.