Ben Parker

East Suffolk Council has acknowledged that the rollout of its Better Recycling scheme has failed to deliver reliable bin collections, particularly for weekly food waste. Missed collections have been attributed to new-vehicle and calibration problems, driver shortages worsened by the Sizewell C project, staff sickness, emptying-station congestion and hot weather. The council has hired a waste-services recovery expert, brought in agency staff and issued a breach of contract notice to its wholly owned provider, East Suffolk Services Limited. It cannot yet give a date for a full fix, although it says performance is improving and garden-waste customers will receive extensions for missed collections.

A £250,000 contribution from Suffolk County Council will fund upgrades to Sudbury’s Hamilton Road bus station, with Babergh District Council planning improvements to waiting areas, passenger information, layout and toilets. Council leader Deborah Saw emphasises both the immediate need for enhancements and a longer-term review that may include reconfiguring or relocating the station.