Arun and Verdant apologise for "rubbish" collections

The apology follows a heated council meeting last week, when several councillors again raised the adverse effect on health and tourism of putting bin bags onto the streets for collection, only for them not to be collected.

Former Littlehampton mayor Mark Butler described the service as "deplorable".

Arun's most senior councillors and officers met Verdant directors on Monday to discuss what needs to be done to end the disruption and return the refuse and recycling service to the standards expected.

At Wednesday's full council meeting, Dr James Walsh, Liberal Democrat member for Littlehampton Beach ward, claimed: "The council took on the contract to save money, not to deliver a better service.

"The public has seen through it. It's the old Conservative council trick of pretending to people that they are getting something better when in fact they are getting less."

Councillor Mark Butler, Labour member for Littlehampton River ward, raised the issue of unsightly bin bags on the streets affecting the tourist trade.

He said: "This weekend (Easter) was a prime weekend for tourists in Littlehampton. What would the first-time visitors to our town think? They would be disgusted.

"I was born and bred in the town and I have never seen it looking so filthy as it is now. The bins are overflowing '” it's a disgrace. I saw five rats eating rubbish from bin bags just 20ft from the High Street.

"I desperately fear for Littlehampton, Bognor and our district for the future because the picture we are sending out is deplorable."

Councillor Simon McDougall, Liberal Democrat group leader, was also frustrated at the state of the new service.

He said: "I have been on this council for 14 years in May and I have never been more ashamed to be a councillor.

"We've got the same contractor. They know the routes, they know the rounds. Everybody should have known far farther in advance what should have been expected."

Councillor Stephen Brookman, cabinet member for the environment, claimed the service was working in nine out of 10 cases. The reason for the change was not simply to save money but to allow a more efficient collection service so the savings could be put towards meeting recycling targets.

Yesterday (Wednesday), Mr Brookman apologised on behalf of the council. "Arun District Council offers an apology to any residents who have suffered inconvenience with their refuse or recycling service over the last few weeks. Verdant expects that most of the outstanding problems will be resolved over the coming week.

"Neither Arun or Verdant are happy with the current situation and remain committed to getting it right and quickly.

"While the last few weeks have undoubtedly been difficult, the council remains positive that the substantial long term benefits arising from the new contract will be seen."

Verdant has assured Arun that it will provide more resources at both senior management level and on the front line of the service, until both the company and Arun are satisfied that the services are operating normally.

Arun claims that 90 per cent of residents received a normal collection service last week and collections for this week were on target to be completed.

The council also said the new recycling service, initially rolled out in Findon and East Preston, had started well, with 25 tonnes of mixed recycling material collected on the first day.