Lib Dem Councillor reveals bin backlog

11.17.08am GMT Fri 1st Sep 2006

Labour councillors are again being criticised for their inability to manage contracted-out services, as reports come in that there is a backlog of over 500 residents who are waiting to be given a wheelie bin by Haringey Accord.

Lib Dem councillor Ron Aitken discovered the backlog while helping a resident to get a new bin to replace another that had been damaged. Incredibly, it took more than eight months for Haringey Accord to react to requests, prompting Cllr. Aitken to quiz the council as to how many other residents were waiting. Over 500 requests have been made that have yet to be answered.

Councillor Aitken comments: "How hard can it be to deliver a bin to a resident? The delay is causing people to go back to using bin bags, attracting vermin and causing a health hazard.

"Haringey Council should be putting on the pressure after Haringey Accord's recent record, yet it is clear that they are not keeping an eye on the services that they have contracted out to private companies. The Lib Dems will continue to make enquiries and put pressure on the council to ensure that service providers meet people's needs - something that they really should be doing anyway."