Anger rises over wheelie bin roll-out chaos (Mid Worcestershire Liberal Democrats)

Mid Worcestershire Liberal Democrats <midworcslibdems@worcs.com>

Anger rises over wheelie bin roll-out chaos

October 20, 2008 12:00 AM

The new system of wheeled bin collection of general waste and recyclables was introduced by Wychavon District Council on 29 th September in roughly half the district. 12,000 properties are involved.

There were problems from the start due to insufficient large and small sized bins being delivered to the Council's contractors Focsa. The delivery of standard sized bins was completed in most areas just before the first collection was due, but some residents have still not received any bins - or a supply of bags in the case of some properties not suitable for a bin collection - as we go into the fourth week of the new system. Others have received two sets of bins.

The standard issue should be one 240 litre green bin for recyclable waste, one 190 litre grey bin for general waste and a small food waste bin. Properties with unsuitable access can be exempt and continue with the sack system. Residents who are physically unable to manage the bins are entitled to assisted collections.

There have been even more problems with collections than with the bin delivery. Some properties have been missed entirely; some villages have not yet had a collection on their designated day, and some properties have not had the food waste bin collected.

Leader of the Opposition on the Council, Cllr Margaret Rowley, said "The roll-out of the new scheme has been appalling. Just about everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. Many people are now leaving all bins out all the time in the hope that one may be collected at some point.

"There have been problems in all the villages in my ward. For example Himbleton has had one collection of general waste 4 days after the allocated day. Collection of the recycling bin, due last Friday, looks as if it will be similarly delayed. Some Tibberton residents have been told they are now in the Oddingley round, but they were over a week late in getting a collection. Bins are now overflowing.

"Residents ringing the Council have not been given an accurate day when they could expect collection. Some of those who had not received bins were told they were in the second phase of the roll out even though their neighbours had received their bins. Many have been upset by the brusque dismissal of their request for exemption. There is no up-to-date information on the Council's web site, although there is a brief apology for 'pockets of problems'.

"The situation is not acceptable. The new rounds have not been given sufficient thought. Information for residents has been virtually non-existent. I shall be raising these issues at Wychavon's Overview & Scrutiny Committee tomorrow (Tuesday 21 st October)."