Walsall Council withdraws its offer of support to Birmingham City Council during bin strikes

Last week, council leader Councillor Garry Perry offered to open the two Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Walsall, Fryers Road and Merchants Way, to residents of Birmingham.

The offer included opening the two sites between 6pm and 8pm on Mondays and Wednesdays for Birmingham residents only.

Councillor Perry said the full costs of the proposed support would have been recovered from Birmingham City Council.

However, shortly after the offer was made, it was withdrawn, as Birmingham City Council showed no signs of accepting it.

Over 350 Birmingham City Council, bin workers began walkouts in January, which escalated to an indefinite strike on March 11.

Mounds of waste have been piling up on the streets across the city, and residents have reported sightings of ‘cat-sized rats’.

Birmingham City Council declared a major incident over the matter on March 31.

The strikes are in response to removing the waste recycling and collection officer (WRCO) role.

Unite says around 150 workers will lose £8,000 each as a result.

The union says the dispute will continue unless the pay cuts to bin collectors are reversed.

Councillor Garry Perry, Leader of Walsall Council, said: “We, in line we many other local authorities, offered support to Birmingham City Council in the form of access to our HWRCs.

“After a week, there were no signs of this being accepted, so we have taken the decision to take this offer off the table, so we can focus on continuing to deliver services in our borough.”