A bungling council has not been able to collect bins from residents for at least two days after an “administrative issue” led it losing its licence to pick up rubbish. More than 90,000 people in Uttlesford, Essex, could be faced with some smelly days ahead as the local Uttlesford District Council admitted it “can’t guarantee exactly” when a new licence will be issued.
It is a legal requirement for waste collectors to have an operators licence and so the council is unable to collect waste until the issue is resolved.
EssexLive reports under the terms of the licence, an organisation must have a qualified transport manager in place. A member of staff has undertaken the required training and tests following the departure of the former staff member who held the qualification.
Uttlesford District Council said: “Unfortunately, we did not properly regularise our position sufficiently promptly in this interim period and as a result we have now had to submit a new application after our licence was formally revoked earlier this week.”
In a statement tonight on the council’s Facebook page it added: “As we can’t guarantee exactly when this will come through, we are progressing urgently with a contingency plan and hope to recommence some collections in the early part of next week through a patchwork quilt of joint working with a range of other providers.”
The council said it appreciated it was an “unusual and highly frustrating situation” and it was “genuinely very sorry for the inconvenience caused”.
Commenting on the council’s post tonight, one person said: “You don’t have my patience and I do not accept your apology. This is unbelievable.”
Another added: “Uttlesford Council you are a absolute embarrassment.”
Local Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch has written to the council saying she was “very concerned”. In the letter Ms Badenoch said: “(Waste collection) is a primary function of the local authority and one I trust you and your councillors take extremely seriously.
“The disruption over the last few weeks has caused immense frustration to residents across the district with them advising their rubbish is piling up.”
Uttlesford District Council leader Petrina Lees (Residents for Uttlesford, Elsenham and Henham) said that the council would be working with Mrs Badenoch and the government’s vehicle operator licensing service with the intention of restoring collection services next week.
