AMBITIOUS plans to merge the waste collection regimes of seven Hampshire councils – including Basingstoke and Deane – have collapsed.

Borough councillors were due to decide whether to join the scheme at their full council meeting tonight. The possible link-up had prompted protests from some council workers who are worried that it would lead to job losses.

But with other authorities now deciding not to take part, the idea of a seven-way merger has been dropped from the agenda and councillors will instead consider working in partnership with just Hart District Council.

The seven-council waste collection scheme had included options for merging and outsourcing grounds maintenance and street cleaning operations as well – although the last two elements were rejected by Basingstoke’s Cabinet – and was predicted to save the authorities between £30million and £39m over the course of a 14-year contract.

Borough chief executive Tony Curtis, who chaired the Joint Working in Waste project board, said: “Last week, the project board reviewed the current position, based on the known and emerging positions of the seven partners.

“The board considered that, based on this information, it was unlikely that the seven-partner option could be progressed any further.

“This is because some of the partners were preferring other options, such as a two-way partnership with a neighbouring option.”

Winchester City Council has opted to pursue a joint waste, grounds maintenance and street cleansing scheme with East Hampshire District Council.

Despite protesting against the seven-council scheme, Unison members are not celebrating the collapse of the plan because they fear the council might still try to pursue privatisation of grounds maintenance and street cleansing.

Regional co-ordinator Caroline Villiers said: “Unison believe the best services are provided by in-house staff working in the local community, and we hope that the council will bear this in mind for any future shared services.”

The failure of the seven-way discussions leaves Basingstoke councillors considering whether to merge waste collection services with Hart District Council, which had already voted for the larger partnership.

But Hart is now reviewing all its options, including retaining its in-house service, contracting out alone or working with other authorities outside the seven councils.

Corporate director Emma Broom said: “The joint option [with Basingstoke] was less popular with our members than option ‘seven’.”

Basingstoke and Deane Labour councillors opposed the seven-council scheme and look set to oppose negotiations with Hart.

Noting Hart’s one-star Audit Commission rating for its environmental services, Councillor Paul Harvey said: “You have to ask yourself whether this is the right partner for us.”