Cash-strapped Southampton City Council has revealed it is paying contractors to fix a backlog of uncollected bins.

Some residents have reported their rubbish has not been picked up for six weeks after the council changed how bin collectors work.

In an open letter, the leader of the council said extra crews have now been deployed to get on top of the backlog.

The temporary increase in bin collectors is made up of the council's own staff and external agency staff, a spokesperson revealed.

The Echo has asked the council how much they have spent on the agency staff and how many have been hired.

It comes amid weeks of disruption which led to trade union, Unite slamming the authority for its handling of bin collections. 

But now the leader, Cllr Lorna Fielker has apologised and claimed that the council's refuse collection is going through a "transition" in order to "make sure residents are getting value for money".

READ MORE: Unite union slams Southampton City Council for bin delays

She said: "The cause of this disruption is due to changes we have made to working practices for waste operatives, specifically the ending of ‘task and finish’.

"These changes have been introduced for two reasons. The first is to ensure a better service for you in the long-term by reducing rushing, and minimising opportunities for injury and missed bin collections.

"The second is to ensure all our staff are working to consistent terms and conditions, and everyone is working the hours they are paid for.

"We have to make sure residents are getting value for money and making these changes will help us do this once the new working practices are embedded. 

"During this transition time, I want to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused. I know there are still issues in some areas and to help with this, extra crews have been deployed to assist with catch-ups, for both general waste and recycling."

READ MORE: Southampton City Council avoids bankruptcy as support agreed

The use of outside staff comes just one week after the council was granted £121.6 million in Exceptional Financial Support by the government to help it balance its budget for the next financial year - with a deficit of £39.3 million to plug. 

This is expected to be paid off through the sale of assets, like car parks, or by taking out loans.

The leader added that many councils have already moved away from the 'task and finish' system and that residents "deserve a first-class service".

She went on to thank residents for their "understanding" adding that she is in daily contact with the waste management team and is "committed to restoring all rounds to an efficient, regular, and planned service as quickly as possible."