Within a decade every bin could have a sensor, the forecast suggests as it sets out how everything from reporting missed rubbish collections to ordering parking permits could be digitised to save money for cash-strapped local councils.

It predicts savings of £14.7 million if authorities make use of new technologies, automating backroom functions thus saving money through job cuts.

The vision for councils is set out by innovation charity Nesta in conjunction with the Public Service Transformation Network, established by the Coalition Government in 2013 and funded by Whitehall as a way to help public services provide value for money.

Town halls would “no longer directly provide most local services”, but would become “digital by default” and act as an online broker, with redundant offices and civic buildings instead becoming community spaces.

The rubbish bin proposal would protect frail elderly residents, the report suggests, because if a pensioner did not put their bins out for two weeks in a row, an alert would be triggered to the local GP surgery so a doctor could check they were healthy.

The fictional example is given of a septuagenarian retired bus driver, Martin, who in 2025 is “far from being a ‘digital native’”.

If Martin doesn’t put his rubbish out for two weeks in a row, this is automatically registered on the council’s system through the sensors in his bins,” it suggests.

“The integrated system knows Martin is in his 70s and has mobility issues so automatically generates a notification for his GP that Martin might need support. From this, a GP can make a quick phone call to check everything is okay.”

The report foresees “instant data sharing across services unless people explicitly opt out”, while noting that such advances would tread a “fine line” between efficiency and the public’s fears over privacy.

Technology could also enable social workers to step in sooner, with algorithms that could automatically alert authorities to children and others at risk of neglect or abuse, or families likely to become homeless.
Local authorities in Bath and North East Somerset already use sensors in public bins to capture data so that they are only collected when they are full.

Islington Council came under fire in 2008 for going through households’ rubbish without seeking permission to investigate whether people were recycling enough.

Campaigners have raised concerns about increased surveillance of residents by councils, especially of vulnerable elderrly people.

Daniel Nesbitt research director of Big Brother Watch said “With big data comes big responsibility, these proposals may sound great on paper but as more of our devices start to analyse information about us the opportunities for monitoring and profiling are clear to see.

“Any potential scheme involving the collection of data can lead to assumptions being made about individuals, these assumptions may not be correct.

“As more devices become connected and as more data is created, it’s vital that people are told exactly what using these devices will mean for them.
“It is critical that people understand what they are signing up to and how much they will be giving away before giving their consent, this is even more important when it involves the elderly or vulnerable.”

Modelling commissioned by Nesta from Social Finance suggested councils could save up to 13% of total spending by 2025 – £14.7 billion based on 2015/16 totals.

A Government spokesman said: “This is research was done in conjunction with the Public Service Transformation Network and gives examples on how councils can use technology to make efficiencies and deliver better services for local people.

“This is one of many examples of what a number of councils are doing across the country and is not central Government policy.”

Sensible use of technology can deliver cost savings, the spokesman said, adding: “We will continue to work with local government to help provide better digital services for local taxpayers.”