Gloucester City Council is grappling with a severe funding crisis that has raised fears streets could soon be marred by piles of uncollected rubbish. The council urgently requires a Government bailout loan estimated between £12.5 million and £17.5 million to stabilize its finances.
In response, the council is developing a recovery plan focused on shrinking costs and boosting revenues. Labour councillors have voiced particular concern about the future of the contract with Ubico, the company responsible for rubbish and recycling collection, street cleaning, and grounds maintenance.
During a special council meeting on December 18, Liberal Democrat leaders emphasized there are currently no intentions to reduce the fortnightly rubbish collection schedule or cut recycling services. However, they intend to explore ways to “make efficiencies” within the Ubico contract.
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Deputy Labour group leader Karen James (Kingsway) expressed alarm over the council’s dire financial situation possibly impacting frontline services. She sought assurances that the proposed contract review would not affect bin collection frequency.
James highlighted the challenges faced by larger households managing waste on a two-week collection schedule, noting that families, especially those with young children, often fill wheelie bins quickly. She pointed out that overflowing bins are a visible concern in areas like Kingsway and other parts of the city.
She further underscored that many terraced streets lacking space for wheelie bins rely on rubbish bags, which would complicate waste management if collections were less frequent. Moreover, James stressed the importance of maintaining robust recycling collections to support climate goals, sharing that even small households generate significant recyclable waste weekly.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of any reductions in Ubico’s street cleaning services, warning that combined cuts could worsen rubbish accumulation in communities.
In response, council leader Jeremy Hilton (Liberal Democrat, Kingsholm and Wotton) assured residents that the fortnightly refuse collection would remain unchanged and emphasized they have no plans to scale back recycling services, which are also a source of income for the council. He acknowledged the need to investigate efficiencies broadly within Ubico’s contract but stated that this extends beyond just waste collection.
The council awaits a decision expected by February on its application for exceptional fund support from the Government.