STRUGGLING residents will be able to apply for additional bins more easily, a councillor has vowed, after a Basildon mum claimed her bin was “overflowing”.

Residents have pleaded with the council to provide additional black general waste bins but have had their applications rejected.

It follows Basildon Council’s new fortnightly rubbish collection scheme, introduced in November, which has been branded “catastrophic” by opposition councillors.

Mum of two Katie Winn, 27, of Beeleigh Cross, Basildon, claims she fills her black bin "in less than a week", due to a medical condition and her toddlers' nappies.

Despite “recycling religiously”, Ms Winn says her bin regularly overflows.

She said: “It’s just absolutely disgraceful.”

Ms Winn was “livid” when the council rejected her application for a second bin, despite her difficult circumstances.

She added: “I’ve got two kids in nappies. I’m trying my absolute best, and always recycle as much as I can.”

Ms Winn fears the overflowing bin outside her home could attract vermin, along with being generally unhygienic.

“It’s completely unacceptable, she said.

“What am I paying my council tax for? It’s extortionate.”

Kevin Blake, councillor responsible for the environment, admitted he felt the criteria were too strict, so he is seeking to loosen them.

He said: “The council is revisiting its criteria. This is something that has been discussed already, and officers are due to come back to me on it this week. I feel too many people have been rejected. The criteria are too steep, and they are being adjusted.”

Ms Winn contacted David Kirkman, Labour councillor for Fryerns, who has described the situation as “a complete mess”. He says other residents in his ward are facing similar issues, along with the rest of the borough.

Mr Kirkman welcomed the news that the council would “revisit” its additional bin criteria but argues more needs to be done.

He said: “It was apparent this was a problem before Christmas, so it’s about time. I think it’s a start but there are other issues that need looking at, like the blue and white bags that keep blowing away.”