THURROCK Council's latest embarrassment over its failed waste bins service has led to the departure of a senior officer - blamed for a continually botched service.

Today (Monday, 9 January) brought yet another broken promise and news that £100,000 a year assistant director Daren Spring has been axed.

Senior sources within the council told Nub News Mr Spring had been tasked to reorganise the bin service, ensure the appointment of enough staff and ensure the council is well-placed to meet stringent environmental targets.

He has failed in all those tasks. 

Nub News also understands that the council's senior environmental director, Julie Rogers, is currently off work and her future with the authority is also in doubt. 

However, the council has refused to give details of the terms under which they will leave. Mrs Rogers' salary package is around £150,000. 

Meanwhile, the expected return of a brown bins collection service - long planned for today, was scrapped. 

And it is reported some other bin collections did not happen.

The council also reneged on a pledge to tell the media about today's situation, only speaking up after being asked this afternoon. 

And it delayed making the information public.

A statement said: "We acknowledge that information should have been shared on social media in more timely fashion and will be working to address this. We apologise for the delay."

The statement, issued at 4.53pm, added: "Due to staff sickness, we regret we will not be able to collect any brown bins on Monday, 9 January.

"Some blue bins in Corringham may be collected either later than usual on Monday, 9 January or on Tuesday, 10 January. 

Some green/grey bins in Aveley and Grays, and some blue bins in Aveley, were not collected on Saturday 7 January – we will return for these on their next planned collection day, Friday 13 January.

"If all green/grey or blue bins in your street are not collected on your usual day this week, we will return for them on the next working day, Monday to Friday. 

"If all brown bins in your street are not collected, we will return for them on your next scheduled collection day. We apologise for any inconvenience."

The council declined to comment on the fate of its two senior environmental directors, saying: "We cannot speak publicly about internal employment matters."