I am aware that many of my constituents are impacted by the bin strike in Wealden.  

I’ve invited WDC to meet with me, and the other three Wealden DC MPs, to discuss how this can be resolved. I’ve suggested they bring the Union and Biffa along. I will provide a further update following this meeting.

Wealden's latest update to me to pass onto constituents is as follows: 

“We would like to assure residents that despite some comments from the GMB union to the contrary, Biffa are working tirelessly to resolve this strike through a negotiated settlement that is fair and reasonable for them, their employees and Wealden taxpayers.

In the meantime, Biffa are working hard to reduce the impact of the strike and are operating further scheduled rubbish collection rounds throughout this week and beyond in the southern area of Wealden where collection disruption has more widespread due to the strike. These rounds will be used to collect from as many properties and areas as possible on their normal scheduled rubbish collection day.  However, as it will not be possible to operate some rubbish collection rounds this week there will be some households that do not receive a scheduled collection this week, for which we sincerely apologise, and we will endeavour to ensure they are collected next time.

Whilst the local pop-up waste sites have been useful over the last couple of weeks, we are aware they are of benefit to residents that can travel to them whereas the regular rounds will collect from all households on their schedule, including those without transport. For this reason, no further pop-up waste sites are planned for this week whilst Biffa concentrate the resources available to deliver as much of the regular rubbish collection schedule as possible.

Details of the locations in the south of Wealden where the rubbish collection rounds will be operating each day, and the following day, are published in our daily update on our website a https://www.wealden.gov.uk/waste-industrial-action/.  If your rubbish bin is due to be emptied, please check our website to see if your area is listed and ensure you place your bin out ready for collection.  Please note that whilst the strike is ongoing the amount of rubbish that can be collected by the crews that are working may be limited so they may not be able to remove some or all of the extra waste if bags are placed next to the bin.  At this time Biffa are working to ensure as many households as possible receive at least a collection of the contents of the rubbish bin however, when the strike is ended a catch-up process will be implemented to collect excess rubbish that may have accumulated, along with recycling and garden waste which for now remain suspended due to the strike.”