'Get Northampton back up to standard': New contractor will 'deep clean' town centre and flytipping hotspots

There will also be a clampdown on flytipping across the town with enforced fines and an "all-in-one" dry recycling service.

But opposition councillors have continued to criticise the expensive new contract, which will cost the council over £110million over the next 10 years.

Councillor Hallam said: "I think it's really going to improve the town. We all want Northampton to be greener and cleaner and to improve the quality of the town."

Starting in June, Northampton's bin collection and ground maintenance will be carried out by Veolia Uk.

They are taking over from outgoing contractors Enterprise Ltd, who one cabinet member, Brandon Eldred, said has left the town looking "old, tired and shabby".

Councillor Hallam said: "[The contract with Enterprise] was the first time we've outsourced a contract of this nature and now, second time around, we've learned a lot of lessons. Things are going to get considerably better."

The borough council has promised a three month "massive, sustained effort to get the town up to standard" at the start of Veolia's term, including litter collection, grounds maintenance and "deep cleaning".

Houses that use wheelie bins, which make up around four-fifths of the town, will also be given a dedicated third bin for a fortnightly "all-in-one" dry recycling service. Houses with sack collection will remain the same.

However, the new contract will cost £11.9m a year - not including an extra £2million in startup costs in a scheme to buy the necessary bin lorries and equipment and lease it back to Veolia.

Lib Dems councillor Sally Beardsworth said: "II just think it's an awful lot of money. I'm sure it will eventually lead to services being cut to pay the bills."

The budgeted £11.9million year to pay the contract has not been adjusted to any rising costs such as fuel or inflation over the next 10 years.