A Welsh council has found itself grappling with a significant overspend of £640,000 following the mishandling of a new recycling initiative. Denbighshire Council incurred this hefty overspend since the launch of the Trolibocs system earlier this year, as they struggled to deal with numerous missed collections. In an effort to cope with the situation, the council resorted to “co-mingling” waste, where workers began remixing recycling that residents had already washed and separated according to the new scheme. The overspend was allocated towards covering costs for overtime, agency staff, and additional vehicles.
To address this financial strain, the council secured a one-time payment of £1.2 million from the North Wales Waste Treatment Partnership. Of this sum, £1.067 million will be used to rectify the failing recycling scheme by supporting the hiring of more agency staff, paying for overtime, and renting extra vehicles with the aim of reducing the need for such measures in the future. A revised plan involving extra collection rounds is set to be put into action shortly after a special council meeting that is scheduled for the following week, pending approval.
Council officials including Cllr Jason McLellan, Cllr Barry Mellor, Chief Executive Graham Boase, and Corporate Director Tony Ward have voiced their perspectives on the matter. They acknowledged the shortcomings of the new waste and recycling service and expressed a commitment to rectifying the situation through a full review process involving members of the council and the public. Cllr McLellan emphasised the necessity of finding a permanent solution for the service to thrive in the long run.
Moreover, Cllr Mellor highlighted the importance of allocating sufficient resources to ensure the success and sustainability of the recycling rounds. He underscored the significance of the proposed fix to prevent ongoing inefficiencies and increased costs associated with addressing the issue on a temporary basis. The potential risks of maintaining the status quo or reverting to the old recycling system were deemed impractical and unsustainable.
The complexities surrounding the failed rollout and the measures needed to address the challenges were acknowledged by Chief Executive Graham Boase and the council representatives. A scrutiny process is planned to delve into the reasons behind the scheme’s shortcomings, with an emphasis on public participation in the review. The aim is to seek a permanent resolution that not only addresses the current crisis but also ensures the long-term viability of the recycling service for the benefit of all stakeholders.
As the council works towards resolving the recycling scheme, they have appealed to the public to refrain from filming bin workers during their duties. The focus is on using official channels to report any concerns or issues rather than resorting to social media. Enhancing the protection and wellbeing of staff members is paramount as they strive to deliver essential services effectively and efficiently.
The upcoming debate at the special cabinet meeting on October 1 will play a crucial role in determining the next steps to salvage the struggling recycling scheme. With a comprehensive review underway and a commitment to finding a sustainable solution, Denbighshire Council aims to overcome the challenges and restore confidence in its waste management practices for the local community.