A lack of qualified drivers could affect MK waste collections with the national shortage of HGV drivers impacting waste and recycling sectors across the country says Milton Keynes Conservatives.
The Milton Keynes Conservatives say the driver shortfall has been estimated at 70,000 due to a mixture of supply chain challenges.
This comes as Green bin collections in Milton Keynes have not long resumed following month-long suspension.
Milton Keynes Conservatives say Neighbouring Council, Central Bedfordshire, has been forced to apologise to residents for suspending green bin collections since July due to a lack of refuse workers available to complete all waste collections.
While South Holland District Council are set to offer refuse vehicle worker better pay and conditions as it struggles with the national shortage of drivers.
The MK Conservatives are calling on MK Council to begin preparing plans for dealing with a shortage of refuse workers that could hit waste collections.
They say that missed waste collections are already a persistent problem in Milton Keynes and could be made worse with a shortage of drivers and plans must be ready for if MK faces a similar problem to neighbouring Councils.
Cllr Alex Walker, Leader of the Conservative Group, said: “MK Council must be ready to deal with a shortage of refuse workers.
“Councils are adapting to the new competitive environment for drivers, and we should too.
“MK Council needs to ensure it is providing the services paid for through hard working tax payers money.
“If the Council doesn’t prepare and green waste collections are stopped again or other services reduced, it would be a failing to plan more than anything else.”
