Leader says Birmingham bin strike ‘a showcase’ for Coventry council-owned Tom White Waste.

Coventry firm Tom White Waste has been paid more than £1.2m to clear rubbish from Birmingham’s streets

Coventry City Council leader George Duggins has defended Tom White Waste, which is owned by the council, for clearing mountains of waste from Birmingham’s streets following a lengthy bin strike.

A’major incident’ was declared in March, prompting the company’s involvement.

The decision drew criticism during last week’s [Tuesday] full council meeting, when former Labour councillor Grace Lewis, who now runs as an independent, claimed it weakened those on strike.

She also stated that their involvement had exacerbated the conflict, to the detriment of the community. 23

Coventry City Council leader George Duggins has defended Tom White Waste, which is owned by the council, for clearing mountains of waste from Birmingham’s streets following a lengthy bin strike.

A’major incident’ was declared in March, prompting the company’s involvement. 4:47

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ClIr Lewis asked the leader if he was aware that Birmingham’s bin workers were now facing a 20% pay cut and whether he would denounce ‘Profiteering private companies’ intervene.

In a written response, ClIr Duggins stated that the declaration of a’major incident’ allowed Birmingham City Council to seek assistance from other local authorities and commercial operators, and that, while Coventry Council had been approached, it was unable to assist due to its lean service and lack of additional capacity for external deployment.

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He continued: “Birmingham City Council approached Tom White Waste as a local commercial operator.

While it is owned by Coventry City Council, it is a separate commercial entity with authority to pursue and offer services to clients throughout the Midlands and nationally.”

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At last week’s meeting, Clir Duggins stated, “As the city council, we would not instruct Tom White Waste where to do their business.

We challenged them to strive to build their business. “I believe Birmingham has embraced Tom White Waste with open arms, and they have helped to eliminate the extreme mayhem that was seen on the streets.

And, don’t forget, this is about public health, and all councils have a statutory obligation to deal with it, which appears to have been overlooked.

Those most affected by such a situation are the poorest members of our community, as they do not have the same access to tips as many others.

One of Tom White Waste’s goals is to gain more business in the Midlands, and this provides an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate their capabilities.” Tom White Waste was paid more than £1.2 million between April, when it initially sent in the lorries, until the end of June.

Drivers no longer had to run the picket line at the Birmingham depots because the company could utilise their own depot on Stonebrook Way in Longford.

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