The council’s most senior waste service officials have left their jobs
Craig Cooper, departing strategic director for council operations
Two senior officers in charge of Birmingham City Council’s waste services – currently embroiled in an all out strike – are departing.
The council has announced the departure of strategic director of operations Craig Cooper, who has been leading on and publicly defending the council’s position throughout the dispute. The council’s interim director of street scene, Andy Vaughan, is also leaving.
The reasons for their departures have not been given.
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Mr Vaughan made headlines last month when he accidentally ran over the foot of a striking bin worker while driving out of one of the city’s bin depots at the height of the all out dispute.
Mr Cooper is set to leave imminently, with fellow director Richard Brooks stepping in until a new permanent appointment is made.
Mr Cooper joined the council in 2020 and led on the successful delivery of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which was highly praised. He later took on the role of Executive Director of City Operations in 2023.
He took a tough line with bin workers, cracking down on ‘task and finish’ practices inside the waste service that had triggered equal pay claims.
He also led a major review of waste and street cleaning services, leading to the decision to axe the disputed role of Waste Recycling and Collection Officer that is behind the ongoing strike action.
He also oversaw other essential services including public protection, highways and community safety.
In interviews about the strike, he criticised Unite for ‘holding the city to ransom’ over the fate of a small number of workers, despite a ‘fair and reasonable’ offer.
He will be replaced on an interim basis by fellow director Richard Brooks until a permanent recruit can be found.
Councillor John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said of his departure: “Craig has been an exceptional leader and a dedicated public servant. His contributions to the council and the city have been invaluable. We are grateful for his service and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”
READ MORE: Council boss runs over striking binman’s foot in depot accident
Joanne Roney, council managing director, said: “Craig’s leadership and dedication have been instrumental in driving forward key initiatives and delivering exceptional services to the residents of Birmingham. His contributions, particularly during the Commonwealth Games, have left a lasting impact on our city and the council. I wish him all the best in his future role and thank him for his unwavering commitment to Birmingham.”
Reflecting on his time at Birmingham City Council, Mr Cooper said: “It has been a privilege to serve the people of Birmingham. I am proud of what we have achieved together. I leave knowing that the city operations team is well-equipped to continue delivering high-quality services to our residents.”
The council will begin the search for a new strategic director of city operations immediately.
Mr Vaughan was in the news last month when he accidentally ran over a bin worker who had approached his car as he left one of the city’s three bin depots.
The worker’s foot was badly injured during the incident at the gates of Lifford Lane bins depot in Kings Norton.
It happened as Mr Vaughan was driving out of the depot and encountered striking workers on the picket line who ‘walked towards him’.
As he attempted to drive around them, the foot of one worker was ‘run over’, said the Unite union, which described it as ‘accidental’.
The worker was taken to hospital, where he was found to have sustained crushed ligaments and tendons. He “was only saved from having his bones broken because he was wearing his work boots,” said a Unite spokesperson.