Calderdale Council is imposing financial penalties on SUEZ recycling and recovery UK due to ongoing issues with waste and recycling collections in Calderdale.
Since the new service started on 1 August 2016 there have been a number of problems, and although collections are getting back on track, the number of missed collections in some areas is unacceptable.
The Council met with SUEZ yesterday to discuss the issues in detail and to reiterate the need for a prompt solution. SUEZ has been working to get the service back to normal, but as there are still problems for some residents, under the agreed contract arrangements the Council is introducing financial penalties until the issues are resolved and SUEZ meets its obligations.
The issues include repeated missed collections, especially in rural areas, and delayed bulky waste collections and recycling container deliveries.
Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said:
“Our number one priority is our residents, so we must take strong action to ensure they get the service that they expect and are paying for. The issues have gone on for too long, so this has left us with no option but to impose financial penalties, which will be used to fund extra community clean ups around Calderdale to benefit the whole borough. We continue to press SUEZ for the level of service that they have delivered in the past.”
The Council continues to do all it can to respond to residents’ enquiries and is highlighting affected properties to the collection crews to try to ensure that future scheduled collections are carried out as expected.
New technology is being introduced in all recycling vehicles, including an automated reminder of homes needing assisted collections, which should also help to keep the service on track.