Brighton and Hove City Council has recently come under fire following disturbing revelations concerning its waste management service, Cityclean, particularly at its Hollingdean depot. In January 2025, a death threat was made against a Cityclean manager, which has prompted an investigation by Sussex Police. This incident is one of several reported acts of intimidation, including tyre slashing targeting managers and a general atmosphere of fear at the workplace. Such adversities were highlighted in an internal report that sought to update the council's cabinet on ongoing efforts to foster a more robust organisational culture and enhance service delivery.
The report paints a grim picture of rising violence and abuse within the Cityclean environment, marked by incidents involving racist, misogynistic, and violent behaviour among employees. A disturbing example cited involved a worker who brought weapons such as a samurai sword and nun-chucks to the workplace amid an ongoing investigation into these serious allegations. Human rights lawyer Aileen McColgan KC led an external inquiry revealing this toxic culture, which has been exacerbated by a high turnover of staff—over 40 individuals have resigned amid this turmoil.
Consequently, the council is grappling with escalating issues regarding missed rubbish and garden waste collections. Recent data indicates that the number of missed collections surged dramatically, with an average of 1,369 failures recorded over the three months leading up to May, compared to just 573 in the previous quarter. The council has identified possible sabotage as a contributing factor, alongside a deteriorating fleet and staffing shortages driven in part by a challenging work environment. Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Mark Earthey has labelled the situation a "complete meltdown," as residents report their rubbish being collected less reliably than ever before.
Efforts to remedy the crisis have led to the establishment of a service recovery programme, supported by £892,000 recently approved by the council. This programme aims to tackle operational inefficiencies, incorporating technological advancements such as vehicle tracking and monitoring software to improve collection reliability. The approach seeks to provide real-time information about missed collections, which has often frustrated both residents and staff due to inefficient paper-based systems. Furthermore, the council plans to recruit additional drivers and operational managers to bolster its workforce and enhance service resilience.
The cultural shift within Cityclean is now a priority for the council, which acknowledges that staff morale and workplace safety are integral to reversing the decline in service standards. Cityclean managers have expressed their commitment to addressing “toxic behaviours” by implementing rigorous monitoring of suspicious activities, although they face the dual challenges of external scrutiny and internal resistance from disgruntled employees.
As the council prepares for its upcoming cabinet meeting, the potential for further scrutiny and debate remains high. The report not only outlines the current challenges but emphasises the need for a concerted effort to rehabilitate the service's reputation and effectiveness. With ongoing strategic investments and reforms, there is cautious optimism that Brighton and Hove City Council can begin to restore community trust in its waste management operations.
In summary, the dual crises of workplace culture and operational inefficiency continue to plague Cityclean, demanding swift and decisive action from the council. The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful work environment, as well as the necessity for reliable public services that meet the needs of residents.
Reference Map
- Information regarding the death threat and police involvement.
- Details on the increase in missed collections and the abusive culture.
- Insights on staff turnover and culture from the inquiry.
- Overview of the service recovery programme's funding and goals.
- Data on missed rubbish collections and attributing factors.
- Mention of ongoing toxic behaviours and council's response.
- Specific focus on missed garden waste collections.
Source: Noah Wire Services