Reference No: COM302
RIBBLE VALLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
REFUSE COLLECTION AND RECYCLING SERVICE
SERVICE LEVEL LOCAL WORKING AGREEMENT
1.
Working Arrangements
1.1
The service is provided on a group task and finish basis where the working day is
considered to be over only when all teams have completed all the tasks allocated to them
for that day, which includes helping out on other rounds/zones as required.
1.2
Normal working hours are based on a 148 hour 20 working day period which allows
consideration for variable circumstances and workloads that may arise from time to time
from the Council’s 3 stream waste collection and recycling service.
1.3
The normal working day will start at 07.30 each day with teams leaving the Depot by no
later than 07.45.
1.4
Finishing times will vary with flexibility required in order to complete a particular days
tasks but would normally be 15.39 allowing for a 45 minute lunch break.
1.5
All staff are required to clock in before starting work and then clock out when it is
established that all tasks for all teams are complete for that working day.
1.6
All staff are required to comply with the Council’s Sickness Absence Policy and Procedure
with the only variation being that they are required to personally contact the Foreman or
his designated representative before 07.15 on the morning of their absence to report their
reason for being absent so that the daily deployment of staff and allocation of work can
be adjusted accordingly.
1.7
Periodically staff working on each round/zone will be changed so as to build up a good
level of knowledge of all areas of the Borough for all staff.
2.
Productivity
2.1
The introduction of the 3 stream refuse collection and recycling service using 140ltr
wheeled bins has necessitated a review of the allocation of both vehicles and staff which
has led to a new collection system being introduced involving zoning of work.
2.2
Generally refuse collection and recycling teams will consist of a driver/loader plus two
loaders other than where it is possible to use just one loader with the driver/loader for
certain types of work.
2.3
The work allocated to each team and zone has been carefully evaluated to produce as far
as practicable a balanced workload in terms of times to be taken to complete tasks,
numbers of properties to be collected from and distances travelled. The aim has been to
ensure that teams carry out equal shares of the daily/weekly workload and that the whole
of the work can be done within the normal working day but with some degree of flexibility
to take into consideration external factors out of our control that may arise from time to
time.
2.4
Where unforeseen incidents occur teams are still required to complete the round/zone or
tasks before leaving for the day. The Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman
Trade Waste/Refuse & Recycling 2007
Reference No: COM302
will decide when all the required work has been satisfactorily completed and staff can
therefore leave. Any staff leaving before all the work has been completed and without the
express permission of the Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman will be
subject to the Council’s Disciplinary Procedure.
2.5
Teams are to return the same working day to collect any wheeled bins reported back to
the driver as not being emptied, bag collections not being made, litter bins not being
emptied or waste not swept up after a spillage occurring irrespective of the effect on
working times.
2.6
Any issues which prevent the emptying of wheeled bins or litter bins or the collection of
waste in bags such as genuine access related problems shall be reported immediately they
occur to the Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman so that there is an
opportunity to resolve the problem straight away and for the collection to be completed
the same day.
2.7
To assist with productivity, clarify service standards and encourage waste minimisation
policies have been introduced with respect to the following all of which are important in
respect of this Agreement.
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non collection of side waste;
non collection of excessively heavy wheeled bins;
assisted collections; (help list)
collections from designated points;
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end of terraced properties.
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end of lanes or tracks.
2.8
Where stickers are to be attached to wheeled bins signifying a problem with the collection
then the address of the property where the problem has arisen shall be reported to the
Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman straight away so that any enquiries or
complaints received about the missed or partial collection can be responded to in an
efficient and effective way.
2.9
The following is a list of tasks that are expected to be carried out as part of the service
being provided. The list is not intended to be exhaustive or limit in any way what a
member of staff might be required to do from time to time.
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the removal of domestic and commercial waste left for collection in the appropriate
bags.
emptying of all burgundy, blue and green wheeled bins presented at their
designated points for collection and returning them to the correct positions.
the removal of all assisted domestic waste collections returning the wheeled bins to
the required positions within each property.
the collection of all special/bulky household waste collections as required.
the collection on the same day of any wheeled bins or bags reported as not having
been emptied or collected.
the emptying of litter bins on each round/zone each day or at the set frequency and
the collection of all litter on the ground within the surrounding area.
the emptying of wheeled bins containing commercial waste;
the delivery of all waste collected to the Waste Transfer Station in the Council Depot
at Lincoln Way, Salthill Industrial Estate, Clitheroe;
the delivery of any waste collected to an alternative point of disposal;
the prompt reporting of any and all incidents of non compliance with the service
policies on side waste, excessively heavy bins, etc;
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giving assistance to other teams as instructed;
completion of all necessary paperwork;
‘dragging out’ wheeled bins and bags where access is restricted by parked vehicles,
etc and reporting such problems to the Cleansing Manager.
drivers daily vehicle checks.
cleaning the interior and exterior of the vehicle as required.
collection of items from stores and refuelling the vehicles.
As Team leader it is a driver’s responsibility to work with management to ensure: 
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Satisfactory performance levels are maintained and work is carried out in the most
efficient way.
Teams are motivated and focussed on customer satisfaction.
Vehicle downtime is kept to a minimum.
Vehicles are not overloaded.
Vehicles are power washed on a regular and timely basis paying particular attention
to the bin lifting equipment.
Vehicle cabs are kept clean and tidy.
Accident and defects are reported in accordance with procedures.
Vehicles are fuelled and any stores provisions collected at close of play.
Vehicles are parked in the allotted parking bays.
Vehicles are crewed and leave the depot on time (ie within 15mins of start time).
Daily vehicle checks are undertaken whilst crew rostas are prepared.
Rounds/zones are completed within the normal working day.
Assisted collection lists are updated and collections completed.
All premises where access is not available are to be reported promptly to
the Cleansing Manager.
The Cleansing Manager is informed of any bins not presented correctly
and therefore not collected.
Drivers contact the Cleansing Manager or Foreman approx 30mins before expected
completion to obtain information regarding any non-collected bins reported by
residents etc so that this work is completed before leaving for the day.
Drivers contact the Cleansing Manager by 1pm if it is likely that their round cannot
be completed within normal hours.
The Cleansing Manager or Foreman’s decision is complied with regarding the
allocation of personnel to teams.
Any operations which may not comply with Health and Safety policies for any reason
are reported to the Cleansing Manager as soon as possible and by the close of play
on the same day at the latest and recorded in accordance with procedure.
Drivers are to ensure that their team is fully equipped with health and safety
equipment and welfare provisions at all times.
Drivers are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Council’s Smoking Policy.
Holidays
Annual leave entitlement shall be as set out in the Staff Handbook: 
Minimum paid annual leave entitlement on joining is 20 days;
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An additional 5 days paid leave after 5 years continuous service.
Up to 3 days annual leave may be carried forward to the next leave year in exceptional
circumstances and with the specific approval of the Director of Community Services. Any
further balance above the maximum may lapse without payment in lieu, unless payment is
authorised with the specific approval of the Director of Community services.
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Requests for annual leave will normally be on a first come first served basis. Requests for
annual leave can be made up to a maximum of 6 months in advance of the required
period.
Requests for annual leave to be taken around Bank Holidays, Christmas/New Year and
school summer holidays will be granted on a rota basis to give each member of staff the
opportunity of having time off at the most popular times. Only a maximum of 4 persons
will be granted leave at any one specific time in order to ensure there is an adequate level
of staff available to carryout the service.
Annual leave should not be ‘saved’ until the final quarter of the leave year, as there is no
guarantee that applications will automatically be granted. It is important that there is
sufficient full time permanent staff at work each day/week to carry out the service and
therefore avoid the need to use temporary/agency staff other than in exceptional
circumstances.
In the interests of service delivery once the maximum number of holiday slots have been
granted in a particular period no more permissions will be given. Good advance planning
of holidays is advisable so that leave can be allocated in a fair and equitable manner and
refusal of requests is rare.
All annual leave cards will be held by the Administrative Assistant working in the office at
the Depot. Requests for leave should be made on forms available from the Administrative
Assistant and then passed to the Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman for
consideration. Staff will be advised as soon as practicable whether or not their request
has been approved. If a request is approved it can then be added to the employees leave
card.
Overtime
In order to ensure that the highest standards of service are maintained it may be
necessary from time to time to undertake tasks outside of the terms of the agreed
working arrangements.
Under these circumstances casual overtime payments at
appropriate rates will be paid in accordance with Part 3 Schedule 2 of the National
Agreement.
Overtime working will be allocated in a fair and equitable manner based around the
demands of the service. Any claims for overtime payment must be both agreed and
authorised by the Cleansing Manager or in his absence the Foreman.
Authorised overtime payments will be calculated on a 148 hour 20 working day period and
not on daily hours, in respect of the following:
Authorised overtime may be payable for example when:
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situations arise that are beyond the control of the team or individuals i.e. vehicle
breakdowns, landfill site closures, etc.
it is decided that work should be done on the interests of the service outside of
normal working hours or at weekends.
Under normal circumstances attendance at staff meetings, training sessions, sickness
absence meetings, disciplinary hearings or medical appointments arranged by the
employer will be included within the 148 hour 20 day working period.
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Working at Bank Holiday & Christmas period.
The following is a list of what are included as normal working days: 
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Good Friday
Easter Monday
May Day
Spring Bank Holiday
Late Summer Bank Holiday
Christmas/New Year period – dates will vary annually
The dates for the Christmas period are subject to review each year depending upon which
days Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day fall. It is both implicit and essential
that waste is collected on at least 5 days out of any 6 in the week in order to ensure the
service standard is maintained.
Payments for working on Bank Holidays will be in accordance with Part 3 Section 2 of the
National Agreement.
The catch-up days on Saturdays around both Christmas and New Year are both
compulsory working days and payment for those days shall be in accordance with Part 3
Section 2 of the National Agreement.
Other matters:
Your employment as a driver/loader or loader shall be considered to be your primary job
and you must have no other commitments which could prevent you from completing your
daily tasks as set out in these terms.
Trade Waste/Refuse & Recycling 2007