The garbage truck fleet regularly has more than half its vehicles off the road due to maintenance problems, the Minister of Public Works told MPs last week.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, Minister of Public Works, said it is not uncommon to have just eight of the 19 trucks on the road.

Colonel Burch said: “A study is progressing on reviewing zones, a possible transfer station, the number and types of trucks and appropriate levels of staffing.”

He added a bid to recruit five more labourers was under way.

Colonel Burch said: “The overtime budget has been exhausted and we will look elsewhere within the ministry to supplement this in order to keep on top of collection schedules.”

He added the section’s budget was “arbitrarily reduced” from the requested amount in the last financial cycle and that “no consideration of the reality of the situation was planned for”.

Colonel Burch said: “Limited trucks and personnel combine to create the need for ongoing overtime. Adding new staff, new trucks to the fleet and enhanced operating procedures will eventually lead to a significant reduction in the amount of overtime.”

Colonel Burch added a management review, which could include combining the section with the Tynes Bay Incinerator, was being explored.

He said: “There is a need for more environmental and safety oversight plus an operational manager to oversee superintendents and allow the solid-waste manager to focus on strategy rather than day-to-day operations.”

Colonel Burch said: “The first step is to action the recommendation for a staff appointment to begin this process. Of course, all these options are geared towards improved efficiency and reduced costs.”

He added it was hoped to reintroduce the bulk waste collection service for large household items and ways to do it in a cost-effective way were being looked at.