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58
SECTION G.
REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL.
Mr. Crowe reports:—
Every endeavour is made to carry out a regular weekly collection
of household refuse, and I am pleased to be able to report that
apart from some disturbance at Bank Holidays, this was achieved
throughout the year.
I must pay a tribute to the excellent work carried out by the
House Refuse Foreman during the year. The collecting teams
worked well under his supervision and the rounds were quickly
restored to normal after the Bank Holidays.
The Council own a fleet of thirteen side-loading refuse collecting
vehicles and during the year three Diesel-engined vehicles
replaced petrol-driven engines, and it is the Council's policy as
replacements are made to change over to Diesel-engined vehicles.
Forty-three workmen are engaged on the work including the
foreman, the method of collection being the relay system whereby
collectors transfer from one vehicle to another whilst a load is being
taken to the Refuse Tip, thus ensuring that the collector's time is
not being wasted whilst waiting for the return of the vehicle.
All the refuse is disposed of by means of controlled tipping on
low-lying land at Budgin's Hill, Pratts Bottom, and with the use of
the Major Tractor Muledozer, it has been possible to dispose of all
the refuse and to level, consolidate and seal it by the employment
of only two men at the Refuse Tip.
Approximately 17,500 tons of refuse were collected from the
21,000 premises during the year.
The Ministry of Housing and Local Government Public
Cleansing Returns for 1955/56 showed that of the Authorities making
a return, 355 were disposing of refuse by controlled tipping and
58 by mechanical means (Destructor).
This Costing Return also showed that of 44 Authorities in the
population range of 50,000 to 100,000 the average annual net cost
per ton of house refuse was 40/7d. for collection and 9/3d. for
disposal, a total of 49/10d. for collection and disposal. The figures
for Orpington are 33/1d. for collection and 4/9d. for disposal, making
a total of 37/10d.
The Abstract of Accounts prepared by the Council's Treasurer
for the year ended 31st March, 1956, showed that on a unit basis,
the cost of house refuse collecting and disposal was £1 11s. 8d. per
dwelling per annum.