Serco boss outlines plans to overcome bin driver crisis
A LEADING figure in the area’s waste collection service has outlined the steps being taken to keep kerbside disruptions to a minimum.
Derbyshire Dales District Council says its contractor, Serco, is trying to get around all areas of the district, and acknowledges that some streets are still seeing missed collections.
And a boss at Serco, which is contracted to carry out the collections on behalf of the council, says it is taking several steps to mitigate the current shortage of HGV drivers.
The district council has asked Serco to issue a statement to residents explaining the steps that are being taken and the challenges still being faced.
Andrew Smith, Serco’s senior contract manager said: “Our waste and recycling crews are doing all that they can to minimise the disruption to residents, including working additional hours.
“I would like to thank both them and the residents of Derbyshire Dales for their continued support at this difficult time.
“We are doing all we can to fill our vacant roles, advertising through a number of channels, offering an enhanced annual salary package including bonuses and other benefits. “To thank and support our existing drivers, a retention bonus will be paid to them from September 1.
“We are also offering career development opportunities that will enable us to grow and develop drivers from within the team – currently four of our loaders are enrolled on our driver training and development programme and will be offered driving roles as soon as they are qualified. Locally and nationally we are also working with a range of organisations who support the long-term unemployed back to work.
“In addition, flexible hours and job sharing are also on offer, opening up opportunities to those who may not traditionally consider a career in this industry.”
Driver shortages are being further compounded by staff absences relating to Covid, says Derbyshire Dales District Council, which adds that missed bins must be left out so contractors can get to them as soon as they can.
Meanwhile, to help lighten the load for the teams, separate food waste collections continue to be suspended.
Derbyshire Dales District Council has asked residents to mix food waste in their usual grey waste bin or in their black sacks.