In a recent discussion with Jim Brown (Area Manager) I was informed that health and safety was an issue as his bin men had to lift 4,5 or 6 bags at a time. Surely this is not good working practice or an acceptable approach to lifting loads which we are told hold potentially hazardous items.

To his credit Jim and his colleague refuted the suggestion which was made to me by two of his staff who visited my home that bin bags were being removed as they had been banned by the European Union. This has been confirmed by two MEP’s to be a nonsense as such refuse sacks are currently being used on the streets of Brussels for kerbside collection. The point being – if thise who were sent to inform us of the changes and reasons for them can be so misleading with their information to the public, how can the results of a ’survey’ be trusted.

I am unaware if I was part of the survey – I was spoken to at my front door (but not told of a survey) and indicated that I didn’t want a bin, but knew that this would not stop one being delivered – does this mean I agreed to take one?

i was delivered my blue bin yesterday – the guy who delivered it said he had chapped my door twice and spoken to someone (he could not say who in my household who he spoke to, and put a DVD through the door – all of this untrue as the time he said he chapped the door we were out at work but did refer to one of my neighbours in a completely un-politically correct manner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) – he then advised that my bins (getting another bin next week apparently )can be kept on the step at my front door – my step isnt big enough for one bin never mind 2 – he also informed me that anyone who doesnt “conform to the project” !!!!! will be fined by the council !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the bins were also video’d being delivered – as the guy was also carrying a video recorder and anyone who loses their bin will have to pay £60 to have it replaced

now we are not totally against having the bins or recyling (we take bags and boxes of re-cycled goods to the re-cycling place on a regular basis and we rarely put out more than one black bag of household rubbish a week) but i am against having rubbish bins at my front door blocking the entrance and being a complete eyesore as well as smelling disgusting in the summer as the front of our house is south facing , i am worried about the amount of bins which are going to have to sit on the road in an already narrow cul de sac with not enough space for residents cars never mind approx 35 bins every tuesday – the nice council man also advised that any damage to cars by the bins “is not their problem” – what we need is for the council to look at the money they are spending on providing these bins – and then to see how much extra it would cost to provide access to the rear of the terraced houses to allow residents to keep their bins safely at the back of their houses or some acceptable area (suggestions welcome)

any one agree or disagree with us ??

NLC provides many services to a high standard. From child care to the elderly, sport and leisure to housing and education there may be faults and there may be issues, but in the main the services provided are genuinely provided by people who care about their jobs and the effects that they have on the community. Even our bin men and their management teams aim to provide a service. I have sympathy for those members of staff who have been asked to defend this initiative, but cannot hide my disappointment in how this has been implemented. This approach is viewed (understandably) by the public as being ‘the Council’ when in fact it is one Service of the Council.

We are told that a survey took place. when was this? Was this on Saturday when we were visited by staff telling us that the bins were coming or earlier in the week when a leaflet was left through the door. At no time was I told a survey was being conducted. If this was the survey, where was the standard questionnaire to ensure we were all asked the same question? Noone was taking notes -so were the results effectively hearsay? How can this be presented as being “absolute certainty” because the ‘Waste Education Officers’ have spoken to residents. if the people who visited my door were supposed to educate me then I am bemused.

I was told that the EU had banned refuse sacks. This has now been indicated that this is something that should not have been said.

The initial visitor to my door agreed that the area was not suitable for the bins and that the scheme will fail. Unfortunately it only fails where we live. We are the ones that must
live with this.

the second visitor to my home told me that “everyone else has the bins and Westfield is no different”. This is not education, but arrogance.

Our elected members seem to be at sixes and sevens. Some say they know nothing of this. Some are advising we use the official complaints procedure and some are advising that we contact the ombudsman. Is it any wonder that people are confused?