‘When will full waste collections be back?’
Call for more information
Plans to reinstate the full waste collection service should be announced this week Stirling Council has insisted amid calls for more detailed information.
Tory councillors say while during the lockdown people have been patient following the suspension of the normal collection schedule since the end of March, many householders are now struggling to store their extra waste and flytipping is on the rise.
Staff numbers in the waste service were impacted by those needing to self isolate, with employees from other council services moved in a bid to help with collections.
The temporary collection schedule has comprised of a landfill (grey bin) collection every two weeks with a recycling bin (blue) and paper/cardboard (green) bin collection every four weeks.
The brown bin for garden and food waste was stopped as was the collection of glass, with people told to put their food waste in their grey bin, with garden waste and glass to be stored.
Concerns have been raised about an increase in fly tipping and also people burning waste, with all three of the council’s recycling centres at Polmaise, Callander and Balfron remaining closed. There are hopes that the centres could reopen soon, however, after COSLA agreed a coordinated approach for waste facilities across Scotland to reopen on June 1 subject to scientific advice from Scottish Government.
The Tories say people are anxious to hear when they will get a brown bin and glass collection, particularly given other local authorities across Scotland have managed to maintain a full service or have already reintroduced one after temporary changes.
And they say a promised update for the week beginning May 11 resulted in only a social media post telling people to present their blue bins the following week.
The Tory group’s environment spokesperson Councillor Ross Oxburgh, said: “The people of Stirling have been very supportive and understanding of the reduced collections and also appreciate the efforts of staff in collecting their rubbish at such a difficult time.
“After eight weeks, however, the council should be able to say when normal collections can resume, as other local authorities have managed to do.”
Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny added there had been “far too little communication about what the problems are and when they will be sorted”.
Environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson said: “Councillor Oxburgh should be utterly ashamed of himself. He is a member of the council’s all-party waste steering group. Despite agreeing to attend a video conference on May 7, he failed to attend. Had he done so he would have been given a detailed briefing on how the service is working towards full service delivery and on preparation to reopen the amenity sites.
“Our waste operatives are doing a fantastic job in very difficult circumstances. As a responsible employer the SNP/Labour joint administration will not risk putting lives at risk. Full service provision will be introduced when it is safe to do so.”
Labour environment spokesperson Councillor Danny Gibson said the Tories were aware the update was being planned, adding: “Like all workers in our community, Stirling Council employees have been facing the same significant challenges during this time.
“Whilst the service has had to be slightly reduced the teams should be commended for regularly achieving 100 per cent of bins being emptied each day as planned. A fact I know is greatly appreciated by the public.”
A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The council has issued regular, comprehensive updates on our temporary waste collection plans to both the public and press during the coronavirus lockdown.
“As clearly stated in our latest social media posts and website updates on household waste collections, more information will be made available this week as our plans to reinstate a full collection service are nearing completion.
“We would like to thank residents and businesses across Stirling again for their patience and support during these unprecedented times, and to recognise the efforts of our dedicated staff for maintaining a kerbside collection service in such challenging circumstances.”