Overview

• Missed bin collections rose 140% from December to April, leaving some neighbourhoods with rubbish uncollected for up to eight weeks.
• An independent inquiry led by KC Aileen McColgan found entrenched bullying, intimidation, racism, sexism and homophobia at the Hollingdean depot and uncovered a stockpile of weapons.
• Recent offences including slashed tyres, death threats against managers and suspected arson have been reported to Sussex Police as part of an ongoing probe into incidents since 2023.
• Council leader Bella Sankey said the city will no longer be held to ransom by a small group of workers and affirmed plans to overhaul the waste service.
• The GMB union has rejected the council’s claims and accused its leadership of blaming a two-year-old report for the current service failures.