Edinburgh refusal over refuse tests

12 November 2009

Edinburgh City Council has stressed that no decision has been taken to market test its refuse collection service – currently hit by a work-to-rule and overtime ban – despite staff anger at an Audit Scotland report on the council’s performance which suggests market testing will happen in 2010/11.

A report to the council’s policy and strategy committee in June considered 20 services where, in light of current overspending, market testing might be considered. These included refuse collection, road maintenance, fleet management, transport services and street cleansing. But a council spokeswoman said no decisions had yet been taken, despite the report, and a further report is likely before the end of the year.

The refuse collectors action covers pay and conditions and, to cope with the overtime ban, the council has brought in private contractors to meet the in-house service shortfall.

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