Monday bin collection headache for residents in leafy Bowdon

One of Trafford's leafy and most affluent suburbs is being plagued by unreliable bin collection services because of staff absences on Mondays. The council's executive member for environmental services Coun Stephen Adshead told a Trafford council meeting how waste services had hit problems since Labour took control of the authority three years ago.

He was responding to questions by newly-elected Bowdon Coun Shengke Zhi who said the issue of irregular and missed collections by contractor Amey has prompted numerous complaints from residents. Coun Adshead explained: "On Mondays, there are heavier [work]loads, so if we have staff absences on Mondays as there has been on occasions this has a knock-on effect to the following Mondays, where sometimes they can not always complete the rounds.

"During the spring this problem went away but in the summer it reoccurred again. However, we are concerned that this could arise again and we are looking at how we can improve Monday services and an action plan has been put together."

READ MORE: Staff at mental health unit sacked following airing of Panorama investigation which appeared to show alleged abuse of patients

Coun Adshead said he was working alongside Amey and would be coming to a future executive meeting to say how the plan would be implemented 'to make sure we spread this work more evenly'. He added that the waste services required between 106 and 111 staff, depending on seasonal requirements, levels of holidays and other absences.

The service currently employs 99 full-time equivalents and has 13 regular temporary staff supplied by an agency. The service therefore has seven full-time vacancies.

Coun Zhi had said: "As an elected member I am proud to be the first British Chinese speaker in this chamber. Bowdon is a lovely place to live with beautiful parks outstanding schools and a fantastic community we are all proud of.

"Since being elected in May, I have received numerous complaints from Bowdon residents regarding missed bin collections, broken and a lack of collection services. I know that other members are receiving complaints too."

READ NEXT:

• Andy Burnham defends council's decision to axe Bonfire Night celebrations across Manchester

• Jet2 air hostess high on cocaine caught drug-driving twice in 24 hours - but avoids jail

• Minister apologises 'unequivocally' and hints at inquiry into mental health unit 'abuse'

• Woman searching for man called Paul she met on TUI flight to Manchester who she 'clicked' with

• GMP officer punched girl, 2, after kicking door into her face during police raid, court hears