THE FATE of Southampton's controversial "twin bin" recycling scheme will be decided by the end of October.

City environment bosses unveiled the timetable of a wide-ranging inquiry into the scheme at a meeting this week.

Under the terms of the inquiry, agreed at February's budget-setting meeting, a MORI poll will be conducted which will canvass residents' views about the scheme.

A "best value" review will also be held, which will look into how the scheme operates in the city.

It is due to be presented to members of the environment and transport scrutiny committee on June 21.

The results of the MORI survey will be available early in October.

Members of the environment and transport committee will collate the findings of both the MORI poll and the best value review before a report is presented to Cabinet for a final decision at the end of October.

The Liberal Democrats' flagship fortnightly rubbish collection scheme was suspended at the end of March, leaving parts of the city - Bassett, Swaythling, Coxford and some areas of Shirley - having alternate recycling and household rubbish collections while the rest continued to have all their bins emptied weekly.

The suspension followed months of controversy over the "twin-bin" scheme, with residents complaining it posed a health hazard.

Residents feared that bins would become overflowing with stinking rubbish and would become a magnet for rats and flies.

The probe was agreed between members of the ruling Liberal Democrat and Labour opposition groups after one of the longest budget-setting meetings in council history.

Both groups have agreed to abide by the findings of the inquiry.