Bin collections across Purbeck still disrupted admits Dorset Council

Apologising to residents in Swanage and across Purbeck, Dorset Council says it is trying to fix the continuing problem of missed or delayed rubbish and recycling collections.

While most kerbside collections across Dorset are not currently disrupted, Dorset Council says it is aware of continuing problems in Purbeck.

Advertisement 
Waste and recycling bins

“Wholly unacceptable”

Speaking at the Swanage Town Council meeting on Monday 13th December 2021, councillor Gary Suttle said he had raised the issue as a matter of importance with Dorset Council on behalf of local residents. He said:

“Dorset Council’s inability to pick up our bins is wholly unacceptable. Other areas in Dorset are getting their bins emptied and it should happen as a matter of course in Purbeck as well.

“I’ve been contacted by lots of people and had to intervene on behalf of residents on one road in Swanage where the recycling had been missed twice in a row.

“We will get this put right!”

Bin lorry

Bin lorry in Swanage High Street

Wareham depot hit harder than most

Dorset Council says that in addition to the national shortage of drivers, the Wareham depot, which serves the surrounding area including Swanage, has been hit harder than most.

It says this is due to historic challenges with retaining employees due to its proximity to Poole, which has far more employment opportunities.

It admits that recycling collections have been affected more than others, as it prioritises rubbish and food waste collections for hygiene reasons. It is also trying to minimise two successive missed or delayed collections.

The missed bin collections have caused problems for many residents, in particular those who can’t manage to get their rubbish to the tip and older people.

Brown lid garden waste bin

“Little consideration for the elderly

One resident in her 80s said:

“I understand the problems with the recruitment of drivers and the workforce but I feel there is little consideration for elderly residents. Dorset Council only tells you it isn’t collecting your bin, the day after you’ve lugged it to the front of your property.

“If only they could plan better and tell you the day before when they know there is a rota problem, then at least you wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of putting out a heavy bin, only to have to pull the full bin back in again!

“I’m just asking for more timely communication from Dorset Council.”

Waste and recycling bins

Dorset Council says it is taking action

To increase the reliability of bin collections in Purbeck, Dorset Council says it has taken a number of actions:

  • Pay rates for Level 3 drivers have been increased for both employees and agency workers
  • Continuing to deploy operatives, including supervisors at other depots, within its own workforce who are willing and able to do overtime in the afternoons and at weekends
  • Provide Wareham depot with assistance from the team at the Crookhill depot near Weymouth to carry out bin deliveries, and an LGV sweeper from Crookhill is regularly sweeping in the Purbeck area
  • A new collection round in Crookhill has taken on some Purbeck collections
  • New data has helped it to balance rounds, with a new programme which will go live early next year. This will enable crews to complete and not carry over waste to the next day, which has a knock-on effect
  • Job adverts have been redesigned promoting the benefits of working for Dorset Council and with a new social media campaign to attract new employees will start in the new year
  • Offer a friends and family scheme and a recruitment and retention scheme for new employees, which has been promoted to all Dorset Council staff and will be publicised to the public soon
  • Streamlined the job application form and supported a number of apprenticeships for vehicle maintenance roles
Garden waste bin

“I apologise to everyone who has experienced disruption in recent months

Councillor Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for customer and community services, said:

“I know many residents are annoyed and frustrated at the continuing problems with bin collections in some areas of Purbeck and I apologise to everyone who has experienced disruption in recent months. This isn’t the service we want to deliver.

“While the driver shortage is largely out of our control, I want to reassure everyone that we are working hard to explore all possibilities to resolve these ongoing issues using existing resources. We are also ramping up our efforts to fill vacancies and find current employees willing to do some overtime.

“In the meantime, on behalf of everyone in Dorset Council’s Waste Services team, I want to thank Purbeck residents for their patience and understanding at this challenging time.”

Glass recycling bin

Bin collection over Christmas

Meanwhile Dorset Council says that bin collections will be on the usual day of the week over the Christmas period, even on bank holidays.

With Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day falling on the weekend, rubbish and recycling collections over the festive period will not be on a different day and everyone should put their bins out on their regular collection day.

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Spotlight on Swanage care home as gross negligence investigated Following the death of three Swanage care home residents from possible carbon monoxide poisoning, Dorset Police say they are investigating whether there were any actions or omissions which were grossly ... 3 weeks ago Police confirm three dead at Swanage care home 3 weeks ago Local woman arrested in connection with Swanage care home deaths 3 weeks ago Corfe Castle protest as social housing is put up for sale 1 month ago Swanage webcam with perfect bay view is back online 1 month ago

Most recent

Two minute silence observed in Swanage on Armistice Day To mark the end of World War One in 1918, a two-minute silence was held in Swanage, Dorset, to remember all those who had died 11 hours ago Reflective Sunday as Swanage remembers the fallen 1 day ago Sweet dreams are made of this at Swanage’s Studio 2 days ago What’s on at Christmas in Swanage 2024 3 days ago North Swanage gets its Sheps Steps reinstated 4 days ago