AN URGENT report has been called for amid claims of hundreds of problems with bin collections in Leeds over a three week period.

Cllr Paul Wadsworth, conservative shadow member for environment and sustainability, criticised Leeds City Council after claiming that 900 streets around the city had problems with waste collection during three weeks in the summer.

Cllr Wadsworth, who represents Guiseley and Rawdon, said: “Collecting bins and putting on street lights are two of the most basic services that the Council should be providing. I believe the administration is failing on collecting rubbish consistently in all wards and providing full information when collections fail. My colleagues and I receive complaints from residents week in week out that their bin has not been collected – sometimes for weeks on end. It is simply not good enough

“As a city, we are missing the level of ambition and leadership that will deliver improved recycling options to residents and provide the necessary encouragement to each do our bit to help tackle our carbon footprints and the Climate Emergency.”

Cllr Wadsworth put forward a white paper at a full council meeting challenging Leeds on its collection service.

In a resolution the council noted “huge cuts to its budget by Conservative and Liberal Democrat led Governments.”

It added: “Council believes further ambitious action is needed to help residents and businesses in Leeds recycle, reuse or reduce waste produced in the city. However, Council is disappointed the Chancellor’s recent budget statement contained no funding for measures to help do this.

Responding to complaints about the service last year a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “As a council we are committed to providing a reliable and efficient refuse collection across the city and are proud of our continuing collection rate of at least 99.9 per cent.

“Unfortunately however there are occasions when bins are missed due to access problems, adverse weather or unforeseen operational issues which can lead to some addresses being missed.”