Council leaders almost quit over recycling scheme chaos

A COUNCIL'S chief executive, corporate director and council leader considered quitting their jobs over a shambolic roll-out of a new waste and recycling service, according to a leaked email.

- RICHARD EVANS Local democracy reporter

Denbighshire County Council's (DCC) disastrous launch of the “Trolibocs” recycling scheme and bin collection in June 2024 led to it being inundated with complaints from residents about missed collections for months.

The council had to commit to spending millions more each year to resolve the botched roll-out on new recycling trucks and on wages for additional drivers and loaders, to ensure waste and recycling was collected.

It led to calls for resignations and apologies from the chief executive and leader, with issues continuing into 2025, such as rocketing levels of sickness and stress in the crisis-hit recycling department, uncovered in a Freedom of Information Act.

Now an email leaked by an ex-member of staff has revealed corporate director Tony Ward feared the crisis could result in him leaving the authority, together with chief executive Graham Boase and council leader Jason McLellan.