Elton, Derbyshire

Below is a further statement from our District Councillor, Colin Swindell, giving an update on recycling collections.

–

Dear resident

I am pleased to announce that the Chief Executive of Derbyshire Dales District Council and Serco have drawn up a contingency plan on how to deal with the backlog of missed recycling collections.

In my last email I explained how recycling collections have been missed due to staff shortages and crew members self-isolating – with priority now being given to collecting general household waste.

Below is a joint statement from the District Council and Serco which sets out how they intend to fix this problem during these exceptional circumstances.

Please note and keep in mind…

1. Garden waste collections are still suspended until further notice.

2. Recycling waste should continue to be presented in your normal day and excess will be taken if the wagons have capacity. The statement has a link to information on how to present excess recycling for collection.

3. For the time being, food waste will continue to be collected fortnightly (instead of weekly) with your general household waste.

4. Please allow time for crews to catch up with collections. Things will not return to normal overnight.

More detail will undoubtedly follow and I will pass this on when it becomes available.

Colin Swindell
Cllr Colin Swindell
District Councillor for Winster and South Darley Ward
Derbyshire Dales District Council

–

Joint statement from Derbyshire Dales District Council and Serco

GOOD NEWS! From the middle of next week (Wednesday 15) Serco, our waste collections & recycling partners, aim to resume normal collections of recyclable waste although garden waste collections will remain temporarily suspended.

They will be taking as much excess recycling waste as they can, utilising the vans that are transporting staff to rounds to meet social distancing regulations. This will keep the recycling trucks operating for longer. Please note how to properly present any excess recycling on our website at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/excessrecycling

Garden waste collections will be resumed when staff availability increases and when it is safer to do so, balancing the low priority in providing this service with the welfare and safety of the staff in having to provide it.

Over the last two weeks waste and recycling services here in the Derbyshire Dales (and in most local authorities) have been scaled back to reflect staff availability and Government coronavirus guidance concerning leaving home, prioritising essential services and allowing staff to isolate where necessary.

In the Dales, while general waste has been collected, some recycling services have been reduced and garden waste collections suspended. This is entirely in line with Government Guidance to Local authorities (subsequently issued by DEFRA on 7 April), which states that general waste collections should be continued, frequency of recycling services may be reduced dependant on staff availability, while collecting garden waste should be treated as “Low Priority” and, where necessary, cease to be provided.

STATEMENT ENDS

–

–