Bins have gone uncollected in a Birmingham Street for over seven weeks, whilst the local authority is just days away from raising its council tax by more than the maximum amount.
Birmingham City Council has been slammed by vexed residents for increasing the levy in spite of a “deterioration in essential services such as waste collection”.
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The local authority will raise its council tax by 7.5 per cent in April, a figure way above the standard 4.99 per cent.
It previously wanted to increase the levy by 9.99 per cent, stating that it would not be able to set a lawfully balanced budget without the increase. However, this was rejected by the Government.
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Since January, there have been various strikes from council bin workers protesting against pay cuts
PA
One local,whose rubbish has not been collected for almost two months, told GB News that people are “outraged, upset and feel abandoned by the council”.
In Ashton Croft, Ladywood, household waste collection has been on a standstill since January 28, with residents stating the buildup of rubbish has “created a severe public health and environmental hazard”.
George Smith told the People’s Channel that the local authority has “failed” to deal with the situation, telling residents to continue to put their rubbish outside as usual.
Smith said: “There is no contingency plan to support households dealing with the mounting rubbish.
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In Ashton Croft, Ladywood, household waste collection has been on a standstill since January 28
George Smith
Residents have stated that the buildup of rubbish has 'created a severe public health and environmental hazard'
George Smith
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“If residents comply with the council’s instructions to keep putting out their waste, it will only worsen the environmental and health risks, including the spread of vermin.”
Since January, there have been various strikes from council bin workers protesting against pay cuts.
However, last week, almost 400 workers walked out indefinitely and Unite Union has warned that bin disruption could stretch into the summer.
Smith said: “The situation highlights a complete failure of leadership within the council. Some areas of the city have maintained weekly collections, but others, like ours, have been without service since January 28.
“The council's inability to manage the strike from its outset has exacerbated the crisis, leaving residents to deal with the consequences.”
The rise in council tax comes as the local authority implements a savage programme of cuts that began in 2024-25, slashing £149m from spending.
Unite Union has warned that bin disruption could stretch into the summerPA
In 2023, Birmingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt announcing it had a £87million deficit for 2023, on top of an Equal Pay liability of up to £750m
PAIn 2023, Birmingham City Council declared itself effectively bankrupt announcing it had a £87million deficit for 2023, on top of an Equal Pay liability of up to £750m.
Last year, the council hiked its council tax up by 10 per cent, and were hoping to do the same this year before plans were thwarted.
Smith told the People’s Channel that he believes the crisis “stems from a series of disastrous financial decisions” and now “residents are now bearing the brunt of these failures”.
“Essential services are being cut while residents’ increased tax contributions are funnelled into filling the financial black hole,” he said.
He added: “For Birmingham to avoid similar catastrophes in the future, the Council’s entire approach to financial and operational management must be overhauled.”
GB News has reached out to Birmingham City Council for comment.
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