Problem with Council rubbish removal.

SuziQ

I didnt know where to post this,and it's been bugging me all weekend.

On thursday I went into my council advice centre to arrange and pay for removal of an armchair,some cushions off an old suite and a small wooden drawer. It was done on a points system to decide price,and both the council employee and the form stated categorically that collection would be of named objects ONLY,only if they were moved to the position stated on the form,and would not be for at least 48 hours.The guy confirmed that monday am would be the earliest time of collection-but it could take up to 10 days,and I had to move the chair etc to the edge of my driveway nearest the pavement prior to collection. Friday morning I washed a large holdall belonging to my nephew,and left it spread out to dry on the chair (it was very sunny),which was still close (abour 5 ft) from my front door.
I also left out a black waterproof bag (not sack)of paperwork for my husband that he wanted to collect and take to the accountant. I didn't know-but his passport and driving licence were also in this stuff :eek: )My daughter and I then went out,around 12midday,and came home at 1445.

Yes,you've guessed it. The council came in our absence. They took the chair,everything on it including the holdall,some wood my husband had left on the opposite side of our drive for collection by his brother,plus a large expensive minibus jack which he had forgotten to put back in a bus.

To say I was horrified-well I have hardly slept.

I immediately rang street clearance,and the young lady said 'before you start you only booked this service yesterday and we can't possibly collect until monday at the earliest'
When I told her,you already have,plus items not listed she cut the conversation very short and said a manager would get back to me. At quarter to five on friday the manager rang saying alternately 'I don't think my guys did this' ,'we were told to attend you as an emergency as you had been fly-tipped (!') and 'they would only have taken the exact stuff mentioned-the rest must have been taken by other people!'
Luckily my know -ll neighbours saw exactly what happened-I haven't told him this yet as I want to see if I get an honest response when he rings me on monday after 'finalising his investigation'.
He did state the items cannot be returned as the van goes directly from each collection to the tip.

Am I I right to persue this and make a formal complaint etc? My husband is furious with me-thinks I have dome it deliberately as we are no longer together and have had a few 'words' this week.It is going to cost a lot to replace the passport and driving licence,plus jack. The loss of dcumentation-well money can't compensate and our accountant is speechless as we have lost vat receipts and other ducumenation needed to submit the vat returns and accounts.

evilgoose

1stly I'm surprised with the council service provided.

Our council will collect upto 3 items free of charge, you ring them and book an appointment and tell them the items, the items have to be placed on the pavement the night before and are taken usually before you get up.
I've heard some people ask if they can collect from within the boundary and the council specifically WILL NOT enter the property. They will make an exception if they get it in writing that they have permission, otherwise - as the council themselves state - it could be classed as theft and they wont collect from within the boundary.

So if they have you could possibly have a case against them.

Barneysmom

It does sound like you have a case but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a payout.

amcluesent

>if I get an honest response when he rings me on monday after 'finalising his investigation'.<

Of course you won't, they'll have spend all the time ensuring they're squeaky, just like all public-sector numpties do when caught out.

That said, leaving financial records outside in a black bag when ID theft is such an issues...a wee bit silly IMHO.