Trolibocs scheme in Denbighshire facing complaints one year on
Gareth Davies, MS for the Vale of Clwyd, described the launch of the scheme as "disastrous."
He said: "It has been 12-months since the rollout of the disastrous Trolibocs scheme in Denbighshire by Labour-run Denbighshire County Council. Where I do know things have improved to some degree over that period of time, I'm still getting a lot of complaints from constituents about non-bin collections, Trolibocs's not being collected because maybe one or two things have accidentally slipped into the wrong compartment.
"Fly-tipping is still a big issue in the local area too, particularly on the coast, which is a fallout and consequence of the new bin system in Denbighshire."
Despite the criticism, the council has pointed to early signs of improvement. According to Denbighshire County Council, food waste recycling has increased by around 16 per cent, and residual (non-recyclable) waste is down by nine per cent in 2024/25.
A council spokesperson acknowledged that the initial rollout faced issues but said changes had since been made to improve the service.
The spokesperson said: "We would like to thank our residents for their continued support for carrying out recycling in Denbighshire.
"Last year we acknowledged the rollout of the new service did not go as we planned and quickly implemented a number of changes to improve services across the county during the autumn.
'These changes including new routes, more operatives and vehicles and a strengthened service management team have moved the service forward for the 47,000 properties we collect from across the county.
'Recycling rates have improved, but we are still in the process of analysing the data, and we will be reporting the 2024/25 performance data to a future Scrutiny Committee. The final recycling figures for 2024/25 will not show the full impact of the new collection model because we were still operating the old collection model for part of the financial year. We will therefore not see the full benefit of the new model until the 2025/26 recycling figures are published. However, we have seen a significant increase in food waste recycling in 2024/25, which has increased by around 16 per cent. We have also seen a nine per cent reduction in residual (or non-recyclable) waste.
"This is important because reducing the amount of non-recyclable waste that is then incinerated is a top priority for the council and was a key aim of the new waste model.
'We aim to have an ongoing programme of informing and educating residents to make continual improvement to our recycling performance. Now that the new model has settled-in, we believe that the service will only get better over time, and that it will result in further reductions in non-recyclable waste and better recycling in Denbighshire.'
The revamped service — 55 per cent funded by the Welsh Government — involved scrapping the blue wheelie bin. Residents must now separate their dry recycling using a three-tier Trolibocs.
A new free weekly collection service for small electrical items, household batteries, and textiles was also introduced.
At its launch, the Trolibocs scheme faced widespread backlash over missed collections and mounting rubbish. The council's chief executive and leader Cllr Jason McLellan issued public apologies as the service ran £640,000 over budget, with reports of waste piling up on pavements and attracting flies and vermin.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Scrap Tory two-child benefit limit to lift kids out poverty' Neil Kinnock says
In an interview with The Mirror, the former Labour leader Neil Kinnock said the Tories had left the country in a state that would 'make Charles Dickens furious' with 'intolerable' hardship Neil Kinnock has said the controversial two-child benefit limit should be scrapped to lift hundreds of thousands of kids out of poverty. In an interview with The Mirror, the former Labour leader blamed the Tories for undoing Gordon Brown's proud legacy of cutting child poverty. He said after 14 years the Conservatives left the country in a state that would "make Charles Dickens furious" with "intolerable" hardship. Getting rid of the two-child benefit limit - one of the most severe cuts to the welfare state by austerity Chancellor George Osborne - would be the "immediate and direct way of trying to correct the conditions the government inherited," he said. It comes after Mr Brown hit out at the return of 'poverty of 60 years ago'. READ MORE: KEVIN MAGUIRE: 'Labour must find engaging story for the UK - or face election wipeout' The policy, which restricts Universal Credit and Child Tax Credits to the first two children, has been blamed by charities for trapping kids in poverty. Labour MPs are calling on Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the policy at the Budget in the autumn, or as part of an ongoing child poverty review. Asked whether the government should now scrap the two child benefit-limit, Lord Kinnock, who led Labour between 1983 and 1992, said: "I would want them to do it. They may not be able to do it all at once, but I really want them to move in that direction because the figures are that if that did occur it would mean that about 600,000 kids, fewer, are in poverty." He later added: "Yes, I would say that. It might have to be done in a phased fashion - simply because of the revenue implications - but heading strongly and evidently in that direction is the way to go." The former Labour leader said tackling child poverty - among other issues facing the country - could be paid for by a tax on the assets of the super-rich or a hike in levies on the top 1%. He told The Mirror: "I think people would see the justification of increasing taxes on assets and the very, very highly paid - I'm talking about the top 1% - in order to make the transfer directly to reduce child poverty. "I know it's the economics of Robin Hood, but I don't think there is anything terribly bad about that." Lord Kinnock has previously said a 2% levy on asset values over £10million - a "very big fortune" - could bring in around £11billion for the Treasury. He added: "The thing is we live in a fair country where the instincts are fair, so people approve of the idea of the broadest backs bearing the heaviest burden. "Of course the very rich do make a substantial contribution. It's not enough. And it hasn't kept pace with the increase in their asset wealth. Simple and straightforward as that." Earlier this year official figures showed a record 4.5million children living in poverty. Pressed on what this said about the state of the nation, Lord Kinnock said: "All you've got to do is reflect where we were under Gordon Brown's government when they cut child poverty gigantically by millions. "In 15 years, starting from a position where beneficial change was taking place, we've got to the place that would make Charles Dickens furious. It's been allowed to happen because the kids are voiceless and their parents feel powerless. I defy anybody to see a child in need and not want to help." Keir Starmer has previously vowed to slash the number of kids living in poverty. And Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is leading the child poverty task force alongside Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, has suggested ending the two-child benefit limit remains on the table. Asked what he would like to see from the taskforce, Lord Kinnock said: "Recognise the basic thing that poverty exists because people haven't got enough money. That's so obvious you almost feel foolish saying it. But unless and until it's recognised in operational policy then it's going to continue." Lord Kinnock made clear he wants to see a reform of the "unjust" tax system. He told The Mirror: "To do it in the name of equity, fairness. "People need to see a demonstration of the fact that things really are changing for the better. We live in a country now where lots of people are utterly fed up. When the encountered reality that whatever happens in the world, whatever happens in Britain, the same people come out on top, always, untouched." Ahead of the autumn Budget, Lord Kinnock also praised the "smart" and "gutsy" Chancellor Ms Reeves. He added: "She's got a very, very difficult task. Last July they [Labour] inherited a phenomenal mess, a gigantic mess, almost of a post-war scale and we haven't had a war. "What we have had is 14 years of continual and chronic underinvestment in crucial areas. Not just the health service and education system, but the care system... virtually eradicated. The support for young families, really smashed to pieces. "The [defence] forces, so underinvested, that we've got a smaller army than we had at the time of the Napoleonic wars. All of that is cumulative and just as in every other sphere in life, demolition is easy. Reconstruction is difficult. "They've got this huge task of reconstruction. It is fundamental. I would actually like them to treat it not only as a terrible challenge, which it is, but also an opportunity that the mess that the Tories left is so big, so wide, that it could be used as an invitation for radical change. "My gut tells me, my brain tells me, that our country needs that."
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Eco-hypocrite' Miliband refuses to reveal his number of domestic flights
Ed Miliband has been branded an eco 'hypocrite' after refusing to reveal how many domestic flights he has taken. Ministers insisted the Energy Secretary would not disclose any details about his air travel within the UK since he entered office last July. Claire Coutinho, shadow energy secretary, said the refusal represented 'one rule for him and another for everyone else' given that the Left-wing frontbencher has been a vociferous opponent of domestic air travel. Labour has also forced through significant increases to air passenger duty that have added hundreds of pounds to some family holidays. The accusation came after a Conservative MP challenged the Energy Secretary to publish details of the internal UK flights he has taken since the last election. Answering on Mr Miliband's behalf, Michael Shanks, the energy minister, replied: 'Details of internal domestic flights are not published.' Claire Coutinho, the Tory shadow energy secretary, said: 'As Ed Miliband sticks a holiday tax of up to £400 on a family of four, it does seem the height of hypocrisy that he won't reveal his own flights, which are funded by the taxpayer. 'People expect transparency and fairness from their politicians, but when it comes to the most stringent net zero costs, it's one rule for him and another for everyone else.' Mr Miliband's stance is in line with other Whitehall departments, which also do not release details of ministers' domestic flights. The Government said it was 'the practice of successive administrations', including Tory ones, not to 'publish granular information' about their movements. Mr Miliband, who is in charge of net zero policies, has previously said Britons should cut down on such flights 'as much as we possibly can'. But he was embarrassed earlier this year when it emerged his department is spending more on internal flights under his watch than the Tories. Figures released in April revealed it spent £44,000 on domestic flights for ministers and officials between July and December last year. That was more than the £40,000 spent in the first half of 2024 by the Tories, when Ms Coutinho was in charge of the net zero ministry. Mr Miliband has previously suggested that the Government should encourage ordinary voters to take trains and buses rather than flying. Asked when he was shadow business secretary whether domestic flights should be banned, he said: 'Not completely, but as much as we possibly can.' Speaking to the BBC in 2021, he added: 'Fairness and giving people alternatives is an absolutely key part of making this transition happen.' Labour repeatedly criticised the Conservatives for taking flights and pledged before the election to clamp down on ministers' use of jets. But since taking office, Mr Miliband has been heavily criticised for jet-setting, which has seen him spend 10 times more on foreign trips than Ms Coutinho. The Energy Secretary spent £62,712 on overseas travel in his first six months in office, according to Taxpayers' Alliance analysis, In contrast, his Tory predecessor spent just £6,155 during her first half-year in the role.
Telegraph
4 hours ago
- Telegraph
Labour drops plans to restrict LTNs in ‘secret war on motorists'
Labour has renewed its ' war on motorists ' by dropping plans to limit new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 20mph zones. Ministers have quietly ditched reforms that would have curbed council powers to restrict traffic and levy 'unfair' fines and parking charges. The Conservatives, which drew up the changes, branded the move 'a kick in the teeth to motorists' and warned it would hit struggling high streets. But Labour ministers dismissed the proposals as 'speculative suggestions' and said they 'would have made no positive difference for drivers'. Sir Keir Starmer has been repeatedly accused of pursuing heavy-handed policies against motorists, most notably in London and Wales. In the latest example, Labour-run Southwark council on Sunday was forced to admit it illegally fined thousands of people for driving in bus lanes. Richard Holden, the shadow transport secretary, said scrapping the Tory plans represented a 'secret war on drivers' that was not in Labour's manifesto. 'Labour has been caught red handed as it steps up its targeted war on motorists,' he said. 'Conservatives led the charge against unfair and over-zealous enforcement but our work has been ripped up in underhand attacks without any public consultation or manifesto pledge. 'This is a kick in the teeth to motorists, set to punish beleaguered local high streets and will slam the brakes on the economy even more than Rachel Reeves has done so far.' Rishi Sunak announced a 'Plan for Drivers' in October 2023, which would have made it harder for local councils to introduce anti-car schemes. It included draft guidance on the introduction of LTNs, which would have forced councils to focus more on the views of local residents and businesses. As a 'minimum' authorities would have had to hold a series of public meetings with residents and to leaflet every household in the affected area. The changes were planned over concerns councils have been railroading through LTNs on the back of support by green and pro-cycling groups. Ministers have now confirmed that the draft guidance, which was not formalised in time for last year's general election, has been effectively shelved. Lilian Greenwood, the roads minister, said that as a result, work had been 'put on hold and the Government is now considering appropriate next steps'. 'As has always been the case, local authorities are responsible for managing their roads and are accountable to their communities,' she said. Lord Hendy, a transport minister, also suggested that the Government does not plan to change the current guidance in force on LTNs. 'Traffic management measures such as low traffic neighbourhoods are a matter for local authorities as they know their areas best,' he said. The last Tory government had planned a series of pro-driver reforms, including new guidance to 'prevent inappropriate blanket use of 20mph zones'. The Tories sought to roll out more pro-driver policies in the wake of the Labour administration in Wales controversially enforcing a default 20mph zone across all formerly 30mph areas in 2023. Following a huge outcry the Senedd is now reviewing the policy, with the architect of the scheme admitting 'more common sense' should have been deployed. Ms Greenwood said the Government has 'no current plans' to review the guidance around the setting of 20mph speed limits in England. 'We believe that traffic authorities are best placed to decide where lower limits will be effective on the roads for which they are responsible, and that consultation and community support should be at the heart of the process,' she added. Other planned Tory measures that would have limited the use of '15-minute cities' have also been ditched. Under those measures, Conservative ministers would have revoked council's access to DVLA data, which they use to enforce traffic filters. The 15-minute city concept were designed so residents could access all basic services within a quarter of an hour walk or bike ride from home. It has become controversial with some on the Right who see the car as pivotal to freedom and attempts to curb driving as the spread of state control. 'No positive difference' Mr Sunak also pledged to reduce 'unfair' traffic fines, such as yellow box penalties, including by restricting councils' ability to raise revenue from them. Under the measures new guidance would have been brought forward giving residents the formal right to challenge their council's parking policies. Labour ministers confirmed that all three proposals had been dropped. 'Those policies in 'The Plan for Drivers' that would have made no positive difference for drivers have been discontinued,' Ms Greenwood said. Mr Holden said that Sir Sadiq Khan would be 'licking his lips now he has been given the green light to hammer drivers even more'. The Mayor of London has overseen a rapid expansion of LTNs in the capital and the introduction of blanket 20mph limits across the city. The Department for Transport was approached for comment.
