A couple went to war against the administration by refusing to pay their council tax even though their waste had not been collected for a month.
Malachi, 85, and Sue Doyle, 80, have canceled their direct debit at Swale Borough Council because their bins have not been removed from their home in Faversham, Kent since mid-March.
Pensioners said they should not have to pay for a service that is not provided – and urged others to also pause their payments until the problem is resolved.
They are among many residents in Swale, Maidstone and Ashford who have suffered disruption since Suez took over the £152 million contract on March 25, it is claimed.
Sue said: “We did everything they asked. They tell you to call within two days if you miss the collectors, and if you do, they say, “we should have done that and we’ll get back to you.”
Malachi, 85, and Sue Doyle, 80 (pictured) are refusing to pay their council tax after their bins were collected for a month.
Pensioners urged other residents facing the same problem to also stop paying their council tax.
“And then they don’t. We have a contract, and as far as I’m concerned, SBC broke it.
“I know our council tax covers other things too, but this might encourage them to pay attention to it.
“I think if everyone stopped paying their council tax until this was sorted it would be done in an instant, as usual if you don’t pay something everyone is immediately in the throat.”
The couple’s home, which they have lived in for a decade, is a Group D property.
These typically have an annual council tax cost of £2,247.83, but the Doyles are likely to benefit from a reduction due to their retired status.
Residents of their cul-de-sac usually carry their trash to the main road for collection.
But the couple is unable to do so due to their age and health problems. Two years ago, Malachi was fitted with a pacemaker.
The couple had an assisted collection agreement with former contractor Biffa, but Suez does not appear to have resumed the service, they say.
This meant general waste, recycling and garden waste – which the couple paid extra for – were all left behind by crews.
The Doyles said they would start paying their council tax again if a resolution was reached.
Malachi, a retired marketing manager, said: “With Biffa there were obviously days where something was forgotten, and you would chase after them, but they would come back and it would be done.
Residents of the cul-de-sac take out their trash cans, but the Doyles cannot do so due to health concerns.
“And I don’t blame Suez, because it’s up to the council to decide when they present their brief to them.”
“But you wonder what kind of management performance process exists within the board to measure what’s happening.
“They never came here to check. It’s like they don’t care.
Suez Recycling and Recovery UK took over the eight-year £152m contract on March 25 to empty bins in Swale, Maidstone and Ashford.
They apologized last week for the chaotic service residents had received so far, with managing director Vinnie Masseri admitting the business was not reaching target levels.
The Suez chief said: “We would like to apologize to affected households and reassure them that our teams are working hard to minimize disruption on the ground.”
Swale Borough Council has been contacted for comment.
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