SCHOOL pupils could help to design the future of Argyll and Bute’s bin collections after changes to the calendar distribution process were approved last week.

The Council’s Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee agreed to switch to online bin collection calendars, instead of routinely distributing printed ones to residents, from 2019.

And the authority’s head of roads and amenity services, Jim Smith, also revealed that a mobile phone app is also being developed to show bin schedules.

It was suggested that youngsters could help to design the phone software.

Printed calendars will still be available to residents, who can contact the council to request a copy.

Mr Smith said: “We issue 200 different calendars across the whole of Argyll and Bute and this process costs us 20 odd thousand pounds.

“We recognise there will be a number of individuals who have no access to technology, although we think this will be quite a small number. We would recommend retaining a budget of £2,000 for those who can’t get direct access and still need a printed calendar.

“They will not need to go to the council offices and get one – they can phone our contact centre and have them sent out.

“We also propose to put a note in the calendars for September or October this year saying that we are doing what many other local authorities have done.

“It is a good use of technology and I feel that it will make things more straightforward.”

Councillor Jean Moffat, of the Bute ward, then asked: “The £24,000 saving doesn’t include the cost of building an app.

“We have had apps in the past that schoolchildren have skilfully written – why not ask them to design this one? I am sure they would be quite excited by the opportunity.”

Council leader Aileen Morton said: “Change isn’t always easily accepted but we will put a process in place for people who need paper copies.

“I welcome this approach because it doesn’t impact on staff and we are making this decision with the community first.”