Refuse Collection Chaos - Lib Dems Demand Answers (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Refuse Collection Chaos - Lib Dems Demand Answers

April 6, 2004 2:00 PM

Cllr Mark Harris, Leader of the Opposition Liberal Democrat Group on Leeds City Council has asked for urgent answers about the chaos affecting hundreds of thousands of Leeds residents over changes to refuse collection routes. Reported unofficial action by members of UNISON and the GMB on Monday and earlier today, has resulted in plans to move to new collection days this week being scrapped.

Cllr Harris said "Over recent months we have been informed that negotiations were underway with UNISON and the GMB over moving to new rounds for refuse collection. These rounds which would have meant a much more efficient use of staff and machines were supposed to be implemented on Monday. Leaflets and stickers have been distributed to residents across the City informing them of new days to put refuse out for collection. This morning our Office began to receive phone calls from people asking why their bins had not been emptied on Monday, as leaflets had informed them would happen. We also received reports of refuse collection staff turning up to collect bins in areas like Shadwell, where residents had been asked not to put refuse out until tomorrow, and therefore finding very few bins ready for collection.

"Refuse collection rounds in Leeds haven't been updated for a long time, some crews had twice as many bins to collect in a week than others. Lib Dems had welcomed the new plans which we were informed had been negotiated with the Unions following lengthy consultation. It now appears that something has gone seriously wrong with the whole process. Failure to implement the new rounds has major implications for the Councils plans to extend 'Streetscene' across the whole City, and for the budget it has planned in the new financial year. I have therefore asked for a report on the issue to be presented to the Council's Executive Board tomorrow.

"Residents in Leeds deserve an effective refuse collection service, and it is the responsibility of the Council to provide one. As Councillors we all need to get to the bottom of this issue as rapidly as possible."