Stricter penalties for missed bin collections

Calls for stricter penalties on missed bin collections have been made after weeks of disruption to a service in Merseyside.

Wirral residents complained the service had been "chaotic" since Christmas with some bins not collected for weeks.

The issue was discussed as councillors debated what the future of the service would look like at a meeting of the environment and transport committee on Monday.

Officers said bins had not been collected on a week when temperatures were below zero and side streets and pavements were considered treacherous and dangerous.

The issues were raised as Wirral Council looked to find a contractor to take over the service.

The authority's current contract with waste firm Biffa is due to expire in August 2027 with no option to extend.

Mike Cockburn, assistant director and lead advisor on climate emergency and environment at Wirral Council, said some issues were caused by the depot at Bidston becoming full and rubbish unable to be removed quick enough.

He said crews from west Wirral were having to go to Gillmoss, a two hour round trip.

Councillor Vida Wilson said the council needed to make sure any future contractor had a winter collection plan.

Councillor Steve Foulkes said despite the issues of recent weeks the contract had largely been delivered but added: "Given the poor performance of last week, I would hope we have some strict penalty clauses within the contract that monitor and encourage good performance."

"It is the hallmark of a decent council. People say they're good at emptying the bins," he said.

There were also calls for the council to better communicate issues with the general public.

Consultants commissioned by Wirral Council said outsourcing services again would be the most favourable and cheapest option.

Wirral Council voted to continue outsourcing both its bin collections and street cleaning services.

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