A COUNCIL boss says the new waste service is “starting to bed in” but residents could still face missed collections in the run up to Christmas.

The joint waste contract between Wycombe and Chiltern District Councils has completed its fifth cycle and WDC’s Cabinet member for Environment Cllr Jean Teesdale said it was beginning to find its feet.

But many residents around the district have still been left wallowing in their own rubbish after further missed collections this past week.

Cllr Teesdale told Full Council on Monday: “The new service is in its fifth cycle and it is now starting to bed in.

“I know we have had problems but when you consider 200,000 bins are emptied every week, unfortunately there will be some problems until it beds in fully.”

Booker and Cressex Cllr Simon Parker asked for an update on the service after residents in Squirrel Lane were still being asked to put their waste out on the street in sacks instead of the wheelie bins.

A Freedom of Information request revealed more than 250 residents around the Wycombe District are still waiting for bins for the service.

Cllr Parker said sacks left on the kerbside attracted pests and vermin.

Cllr Teesdale said the head of waste contractor Serco had visited the area and she had sent apologies to residents affected by the teething problems.

She added: “We are reviewing the situation and hold regular meetings with Serco but we have to wait to see how it all works out [before making service changes].”