Council to get tougher on households who leave bin bags next to wheelie bins
There have been a large number of missed bin collections in recent weeks
A council is set to get tougher on households who leave bin bags next to their wheelie bins.
At a meeting of Bradford Council this week, the Council’s Reform Executive said officers would be carrying out enforcement on “side waste” – saying it is one of the reasons for the high amount of missed bin collections in recent weeks.
Councillor Ian Walker (Wyke), Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Communities, said leaving bin bags next to filled wheelie bins amounts to fly tipping.
He told Councillors increased enforcement of side waste had been approved, and would begin imminently.
Councils can issue fines for people who leave out waste to be collected if it is not in their wheelie bin.
The issue was raised several times during Wednesday’s full Council meeting – which was the first time Councillors have had the opportunity to grill the authority’s new Reform leadership.
Councillor Talat Sajawal (Your Bradford Independent, Little Horton) referenced Council Leader Stephen Place’s speech where he hailed the change in leadership brought about by voters in May’s local elections. Coun Sajawal said: “We needed change for the better, not change for the worse. When you look at the state of bin collections in the last few weeks – residents are up in arms about that.”
He was referring to the numerous missed bin collections in recent weeks, an issue that has plagued areas across the District.
Later in the meeting the Reform Executive was asked a question on the issue by Councillor Abdul Jabar (Lab, Great Horton) asked: “Understandably occasional mistakes will happen, but nevertheless it has been concerning to hear a large number of reports from residents of missed bin collections in recent weeks.
“Can the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods explain why so many collections are being missed, what are the main causes of these failures and what specific actions is the council taking to get a grip on the problem and get back to a reliable service for all?”
Councillor Ian Walker, (Reform, Wyke) said there had been numerous issues, from staff being overheated in the summer sun to heat affecting hydraulics in bin wagons.
Poor parking meaning bin lorries cannot reach homes was also an issue the Council was looking at.
Coun Walker said: “The bins issue has been quite emotional over the last few weeks.
“We are looking at starting enforcement for side waste. Side waste is fly tipping – it is when you get a wheelie bin with a bin bag next to it.
“We’ve seen a huge increase in side waste. We’re going to start enforcement with that. That is being implemented now.”