Six months without bin collections prompts council tax refund call

A resident who has not had a bin collection for six months since moving on to a new-build estate is seeking a 100% council tax rebate as compensation.

Bins finally arrived on Hawthorn Meadows in Buckley, Flintshire, last month but Nathan Long and 60 other households can still only watch as refuse workers collect rubbish or recyclables from a nearby street.

Long said he wanted a rebate as he had been required to pay council tax since moving in and despite disposing of rubbish in skips provided by the estate developer.

The council said it was "working to resolve the situation" but a "multi-step setup process must occur" before new waste and recycling collection services are set up.

"It feels like we are not getting anywhere," said Long.

"We complain and we get responses that in part pass the buck on to others and in part pledge to do something about the problem.

"Meanwhile, we are sitting here watching bin crews collecting rubbish from across the road and wondering if they will ever come to us."

Mr Long is waiting to hear from the local authority about his request for a council tax rebate.

He added: "When we received our bins we thought that was the signal.

"But another month has passed and still nothing.

"At one point I went to lodge a formal complaint about the situation and was told I couldn't as technically we hadn't missed a collection."

Katie Wilby, council chief officer for streetscene and transportation, said: "While we normally expect developers to arrange these services before residents move in, we are currently working to resolve the situation for the occupied properties.

"A council officer will visit the site to confirm occupancy, perform safety checks, and integrate eligible homes into the collection system as quickly as possible."

Castle Green Homes said it would continue to provide skips for residents at its own cost until the matter is resolved.