Following recent challenges to the Council’s Waste & Recycling Service, Councillors have agreed to spend £125K on improving the resilience of the service.
It was agreed at last Thursday’s Council Executive meeting (29th November 2018) to use £125k from the waste reserve to recruit and train more staff ahead of the winter season.
Earlier this year a national shortage of HGV drivers, sickness and poor weather caused a number of issues for the Waste & Recycling Service.
In response, improving the service was made a priority, including rectifying missed collections and holding a successful recruitment day for additional staff in September.
A further report will be taken to an Executive Member decision session next month which will recommend a new driver apprentice programme to support the service long-term. If approved the Council will develop a driver apprentice programme within the waste team to train drivers as early as next year.
Councillor Ian Gillies, Conservative Leader of the Council, said:
“The past year has been a challenging one for our Waste & Recycling Service, with the city buffeted by a national shortage of HGV drivers.
“However residents deserve spot-on waste services for their council taxes and our intention is to use these funds to help smooth the transition between summer and winter services by retaining drivers and by making sure we have the personnel we need. It’s all about resilience and forward planning.”
