A council chief has apologised to residents for the bin backlog caused by a pay dispute – adding she would do everything possible to avoid official strike action in the coming weeks.

Waste was strewn across the streets of Brighton and Hove when Cityclean staff refused to work over planned changes to its system of allowances.

While some residents are still waiting for collections, Brighton and Hove City Council’s chief executive Penny Thompson defended the decision to revamp the “mish mash” of payments to its 8,000-strong workforce.

Despite the threat of strike action from refuse and recycling workers, Ms Thompson said the widespread changes were needed to bring the local authority into the 21st century with a system that was “fair, comprehensible and affordable”.

Speaking to The Argus, Ms Thompson said: “The first thing to say is to apologise for disruption to services.

“The second thing to say is that we’re working very hard night and day to put the situation right in terms of operation service. It has needed to be done for some time.”

The complex allowance system was inherited due to the council being formed of staff from three local authorities with varying pay agreements.

Politicians handed over control of the talks to unelected officers in January.

An offer made at the start of this month meant that 90% of the thousands of workers affected will not lose out.

However, 260 workers at the Hollingdean depot are the highest profile group that will be worse off.

Unions claim that refuse and recycling workers could lose up to £4,000 a year.

But Ms Thompson said the figure would actually be close to £1,000 a year, adding there would be generous compensation packages available.

She added: “That’s still a significant sum but we’re dealing with something that needs to be fair, comprehensive and affordable.

“Our situation is to minimise the impact on as many as possible but, if you’re trying to deal with something that’s not clear or fair to everybody, it’s very unlikely you can do that without causing detriment to some.”

Ms Thompson admitted that some of the lowest paid staff would lose out but added others earning similar amounts would benefit.

However, she added she was convinced her team would be able to complete a deal.

Despite some members of the Green administration calling for the decision to be brought back before councillors, Ms Thompson said her aim of installing a new system by October without political signoff would not alter unless the issue was brought back to another council body.

Ms Thompson said: “We’re trying to come to a resolution as soon as possible.

“The most important thing is to work with the trade unions with respect and openness and keep talking – that’s what I want to do.”

The GMB said the ballot for strike action would start tomorrow with a strike possible in June.