Bin men strike

Sir_Artois

Morning all,

Just a quick one: the local binmen (birmingham south) have been striking for around 2 months now. in that time what would normally be weekly collections, ive had collection every 3 weeks ish.
contacted the council who just sent a generic letter that they "are trying to sort this out as fast as" etc etc.

ive messaged the council previously and said in no uncertain terms that i'll reduce my council tax accordingly if it is not sorted.

am i justified? I know it's dicey, but still.

Ozzuk

How will you work out what the refuse collection service is worth? I wouldn't be doing that, as tempting as it must seem.

This might focus your thoughts:

"Summons

If you do not pay the amount shown on the reminder notice you will receive a Magistrates Court summons. Summonses are issued to all those named on the bill and costs are added to the account. Costs will NOT be cancelled. At the court hearing the council will apply for a Liability Order to recover the outstanding debt, including the summons costs. You will be charged an additional amount for the Liability Order. To avoid the issue of a Liability Order you must pay your outstanding council tax in full plus the summons costs. A Liability Order will be obtained for the amount of the summons costs if they remain unpaid, even if you have paid the rest of your debt.

If you have received a summons and are not able to pay the full balance, we can consider an offer of payment based on your circumstances. We will still request a liability order from the Magistrates Court and this may incur further costs but no further action will then be taken if your offer is accepted and you keep to the agreed payments."

CIS

Withholding the money from council tax would not stop the council continuing legal action for the monies - there's no facility, due to the way council tax works, to allow for apportioning or withholding payments.

Craig

Laz123

Make sure any identifying evidence is shredded and leave you rubbish bags outside the entrance to the council offices.

jwil

Kerbside collections here cost about £1 a week for rubbish and recycling.

http://www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/about/costs/

So out of 8 collections you've had 2 or 3?

At most you would be looking for a £5- £6 reduction in your Council tax. Is that worth getting prosecuted for?

Davesnave

Sir_Artois wrote: »

ive messaged the council previously and said in no uncertain terms that i'll reduce my council tax accordingly if it is not sorted.

am i justified?

I expect the office person who picked-up your email was extremely shocked when they read that. No doubt they called their line manager, who, seeing the seriousness of the situation, probably forwarded it to the Head of Waste Management.

Expect an early resolution to the dispute and give yourself a pat on the back for this selfless act.

Justified? Who cares? You've sorted it single-handed. Well done!

missile

A visit to your nearest recycling centre could have been a better use of your time.

Cisco001

Sir_Artois wrote: »

Morning all,

Just a quick one: the local binmen (birmingham south) have been striking for around 2 months now. in that time what would normally be weekly collections, ive had collection every 3 weeks ish.
contacted the council who just sent a generic letter that they "are trying to sort this out as fast as" etc etc.

ive messaged the council previously and said in no uncertain terms that i'll reduce my council tax accordingly if it is not sorted.

am i justified? I know it's dicey, but still.

Lucky you!
It was 4 weeks before they collect the rubbish from mine.

And recycling is probably 5 - 6 weeks now, and still has not been collected.

There is petition at change.org to call for council tax refund. I don't think that will make a difference, but i do want to make some noise.
https://www.change.org/p/birmingham-city-council-birmingham-city-council-to-refund-residents-for-missed-collections

Cisco001

missile wrote: »

A visit to your nearest recycling centre could have been a better use of your time.

Not everyone have car.
And do you want to put smelly rubbish sitting for 3 weeks in car?

another_casualty

Laz123 wrote: »

Make sure any identifying evidence is shredded and leave you rubbish bags outside the entrance to the council offices.

That is exactly what I would do .( wearing a hoodie , and doing it well outside office hours )

Torry_Quine

It must be hard not getting the rubbish collected regularly. The time scales though are manageable. I frequently don't put my bin out for four weeks or longer.