Waste collections in South Holland are being put under strain by a shortage of bin lorry drivers.
The district council says it has had to find other employees with an HGV licence so as not to miss a collection due to the national shortage.
The reason for the shortfall of 60,000 drivers across the country has included Brexit, a lack of roadside facilities, long hours and poor pay.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said that local authorities could not match wages being paid by private companies as he told the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership the service will see a “degradation”.
“It has an impact on the whole service as it requires us to take people away from the supervisor roles,” he said.
“That’s concerning as we’re not able to carry out effective management. If you take someone away from overseeing your services inevitably it will impact the delivery of those services and we’re in a position where we’ll start to see a degradation.
“It’s not something we can fix easily. Where previously we were able to go to agencies to fill the gaps, they’re now telling us they don’t have the people to send in.
“Drivers are being taken into private sector jobs where the pay is much more lucrative and they’re finding positions where the start pay is now £30,000 a year.
“We could only hope to offer a similar wage in local government.”
Speaking after the meeting, Coun Gambba-Jones said: “It’s something we’re struggling with and we’re dealing with it on a day by day basis. We’re taking steps to manage it.
“We’re introducing a new training scheme and working with Boston College to fill these gaps and effectively grow our own workforce.
“In that way we don’t have to rely on agency staff.
“There are contingency plans in place and the guys are doing a good job.
“They must be coming in each morning with a sense of dread of how they’re going to achieve it each day, but they have done it.”
A South Holland District Council spokesman said: “As with many other businesses across the country, the council is currently facing challenges with the recruitment of new HGV drivers for our weekly refuse, recycling and garden waste collections.
“No collections in the district have been missed as a direct result of this, with the council’s existing drivers being supported by staff from other teams who have HGV licences and the appropriate training.
“We also continue to work with our partners, including Department for Work and Pensions, to support those looking to gain their licences and find employment in South Holland.”
