Apology for missing collections

Epping Forest District Council are apologising to residents for the ongoing issues with domestic waste and recycling collections. They state that poor performance by waste and recycling contractor Biffa over Christmas and the New Year has compounded problems due to the severe weather earlier in December. While the pre-Christmas cold snap exacerbated the current difficulties, the recent problems are part of a longer term trend. Councillor Nigel Avey, Cabinet Contracts Portfolio Holder for Epping Forest District Council said: “Individually, our refuse crews work incredibly hard. It’s a very tough job which few people choose to do, and it’s important to separate the good work of individual people from the underlying problems with the contract.” “While bad weather and Christmas makes waste and recycling collections difficult, they are not an excuse for the underlying problems with Biffa. There are many reasons why Biffa has struggled to improve performance, including staff shortages and an unreliable fleet of vehicles, but our residents deserve better.” Councillor Avey continued: “Council staff are working night and day to try to improve Biffa’s performance. Among the issues over Christmas were vehicles reaching capacity before the end of rounds, with no time to collect the remaining properties after unscheduled tipping. Punctures and breakdowns caused further delays, alongside high levels of staff and agency staff absence. All these issues have been taken up with Biffa. We continue to apply pressure and enforce the contract where possible to try to improve service. Unfortunately, even with extra crews now being deployed, not all the missed collections will be caught up this week. The council is taking appropriate action. The current contract with Biffa will not automatically be renewed. We have started work towards a new contract. That is a year or two down the line. For now, we will continue to do everything in our power to improve Biffa’s performance. That includes help where we can and sanctions where necessary. The current poor level of service is unacceptable and we will not rest until the situation has improved. A balanced budget identifying increased fees, charges, and savings to cover the £4.5million shortfall in funding for next year will be presented for debate at Cabinet on Monday 12th December. Identifying the £4.5million projected gap early has given the council time to scrutinise every penny. Salaries are the council’s biggest cost and largest potential saving. Some jobs will be affected, but every effort will be made to avoid any potential compulsory redundancies. Proposals include a review of vacant posts, with potential voluntary redundancies and redeployment. With hard pressed residents feeling the effects of inflation on their own pockets, the draft budget seeks to provide essential services residents rely on, at an affordable cost through tax, fees, and charges.

The proposed savings include the review of a large number of vacant posts. The council would still need to review a few posts where people are currently employed.

Councillor Chris Whitbread, Leader of Epping Forest District Council said: "We care deeply about our employees. They are our best asset. We value the hard work and dedication to public service that our employees bring to work every day.

"But these are not ordinary times. The cost-of-living crisis sparked by the pandemic and aggravated by Putin’s senseless war in Ukraine has far-reaching ramifications.

"While our residents must come first, we will do all we can to protect our staff. The potential need for compulsory redundancies will be minimised through

a mixture of reviewing existing vacancies, potential voluntary redundancies, and redeployment."

Consultation in line with the council’s organisational change policy, legal requirements and best practice will begin with employees and the Trade Unions in the new year.

The council is also offering wellbeing support to all its employees with any work or personal related issues, whether related to this matter or otherwise, including its Employee Assistance Programme.