BASINGSTOKE & DEANE BC
Published: 14 July 2022
Important changes to council services during period of extreme heat
Statement from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Resident Services Cllr Rebecca Bean.
“A Met Office amber extreme heat warning has been forecast from Sunday 17 July with a further period of hot weather extending into next week. As an employer of people working outside in all temperatures to deliver services to our residents throughout the year, it is vitally important that we protect these teams while carrying out their roles and support our contractors to do the same during periods of extreme weather.
Therefore, together with our waste collection contractor Serco, we have taken the decision to start collecting bins earlier in the day – for the week commencing Monday 18 July - to reduce the risk of heat stroke and dehydration. Residents are asked to put their scheduled bins out for collection by 6am next week and we encourage them to share this message with their neighbours, friends and family in the borough. This emergency change is for the period of extreme hot weather only. We will provide further updates on our social media channels and website on when collections will resume back to a 7am start.
This decision has been jointly agreed by the council and Serco to protect Serco’s crews and avoid them working at the hottest point of the day. Collecting bins is a physical role and the crews are required to wear the appropriate safety equipment even in the heat. The change in start time will reduce the impact of the extreme weather on the crews and will support them in carrying out their role to collect our residents’ bins. Should there be a disruption to the service next week and bins are not collected on their designated collection day, residents are asked to leave their bins out.
The council’s grounds maintenance teams, who cut the grass and carry out tree and planting work, will also be starting work earlier in the day during the extreme heat from Monday 18 July. This will avoid them working at the hottest time of the day but could mean grass cutting starts earlier than normal.
All of the council’s teams who work outside including our street cleansing team, grounds maintenance teams, sports teams, ranger team, community safety patrol officers and carparking enforcement officers are being advised to take regular breaks, drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and a hat and seek shade where possible while delivering council services for our residents. We thank residents for their understanding and apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. "
Information relating to service changes during the extreme weather and links to hot weather help and advice can be found on the council's website at www.basingstoke.gov.uk/severeweather and our social media channels.