A survey has been launched as part of an investigation into how a new bin collection service descended into chaos.

Swale council is carrying out a review into its contract with Suez following a range of issues across Sittingbourne, Faversham and on Sheppey.

Residents across the borough have gone weeks and sometimes months without collections since the waste firm took on the £152 million Mid-Kent Waste Partnership contract in March.

Between then and July 2, 36,468 reports of missed collections were lodged.

Following the end of a three-month grace period on June 25, it is understood the firm has had to pay “punishment” fines to the councils concerned.

Over the next few months, Swale council will be examining what went wrong, looking at resources and staffing, data and rounds, contract and project management and communications.

Yesterday (September 3) it launched a survey and is encouraging locals to share their views on the contract.

Residents are being asked whether they have had missed collections, if they were able to report them, how satisfied they were with that process and how satisfied they are with the waste collection service now.

People are also being quizzed over where they went for information about the new service and if they received a letter before Suez took over the contract – as some residents say they failed to receive this.

The survey will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday, October 2 and you can take part here. Hard copies are also available on request.

As part of the review, the council will also be carrying out workshops with council officers and Suez representatives, as well as consulting with parish councils and the upcoming round of area committee meetings.

Councillor Rich Lehmann (Green), chairman of the environment and climate change committee at the council, said: "We know that the move to the new waste contract has not gone as well as we wanted, and we’re still working hard to get Suez to deliver the level of performance we expect.

“We want to hear people’s experiences about how it went: what went wrong, where did you look for help, what happened when you reported it.

“This will help us carry out the review by making sure people’s experiences are central to what we’re looking at.

“These responses will help identify areas for improvement to make sure the service is operating effectively for everyone."

Last month, Suez bin workers threatened strike action after it emerged Maidstone workers were being paid more than those in Swale and Ashford despite doing the same job.

However, workers accepted a new pay offer and it is understood those working in different boroughs will be paid the same from January 1.