Mark James Refuse Statement

The county council apologises to residents in some parts of the county who have experienced problems with refuse collection over the past few weeks.

The council has agreed a set of new terms and conditions with its employees, which has seen a single system of pay implemented. This has abolished some of the very outdated bonus schemes enjoyed by some employees.

Furthermore, as part of the rationalisation of terms and conditions, we have abolished the practice of ‘job and finish’ whereby refuse collectors have been able to leave work as soon as they finished collecting the refuse, even if this was two or three hours early each day. They were the only group of staff who were able to do this.

The implementation of the new working arrangements means that we cannot reinstate the previous “job and finish” practice, as this would be simply unfair on all other staff who work their full contracted hours each week. Whilst we hope to resolve this matter soon through ongoing consultation with the refuse collectors, the county council will not leave the situation continue as it is and will consider all means at its disposal to ensure that continuity of service is ensured.

Once again, on behalf of the council, I apologise to those residents affected.

Mark James CBE

Chief Executive