'We're keen to get a resolution' to end bin dispute, says Birmingham council chief

Ahead of further talks with the Unite union on Tuesday, John Cotton told Sky News he understands how difficult the bin strike is for people and that the council is "very keen to get a resolution to the dispute".

He said it has "taken contingency measures" to ensure "we're providing support to people in this very difficult circumstance".

Mr Cotton said he would give an update later on Tuesday at a full council meeting, adding what's really important is "we find a negotiated settlement to this which is why the council is continuing to talk to the Unite union".

Mounds of waste, often spilling out of black bin bags, remain uncollected, while residents have started to complain about "rats as big as cats".

Birmingham City Council declared a major incident on 31 March, saying the "regrettable" move was taken in response to public health concerns, as picket lines were blocking depots and preventing waste vehicles from collecting rubbish.

The all-out strike over the role of waste recycling and the removal of the collection officer (WRCO) role started on 11 March, but waste collections have been disrupted since January.

The union claims the move will leave about 150 members £8,000 worse off, which the council denies.

On Monday, there was a call for the army to be deployed to help the situation.

Ayoub Khan, the independent MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, asked Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in the House of Commons if army personnel could "assist the local charities and organisations that are helping" to clear up waste left in the streets during the ongoing dispute.

Local government minister Jim McMahon said the cost would be prohibitive and insisted ministers wanted a "sustainable deal that can hold", which required "all parties to be in the room, having the negotiations to deal with the underlying pay and terms and conditions dispute that's at play".

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has since offered its support to the strikers, saying it will advise members not to carry out any strike-breaking work.

Ms Rayner, who is also the Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, met with Mr Cotton on Sunday.

She had earlier told MPs that ministers have urged the council and Unite to sit down and resolve the dispute.

"It is essential to protect public health by tackling the backlog of waste, and my department is in close contact with the council," she said.

The Conservative shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake described the dispute and scenes in Birmingham as "a national embarrassment".

He added that "with 21C temperatures forecast later this week, (it) will become a public health emergency".

-SKY NEWS