AN APOLOGY has been formally made to all Dorset Waste Partnership's operational staff after they were told to mend and repair their own uniforms.

As reported yesterday staff at DWP were concerned self repairs could compromise the effectiveness of their clothing and were outraged that they are being told to sew up their damaged clothes when senior managers had a pay rise confirmed a month prior.

Mike Moon, head of service (operations) at DWP issued a memo to all operational staff personally apologising to 'any member of staff who was offended by the tone' of the previous memo.

The memo, seen by the Echo, said: "Recently a notice was placed up in Poundbury Depot covering the issue and replacement of PPE.

The director and I would like to personally apologise to any member of staff who was offended by the tone of the memo and I would like to clarify the following.

"PPE is issued to us all by DWP and will be replaced on a one to one basis when it becomes unsuitable for use.

"We all as individuals have a responsibility to look after and keep clean our uniform, including our PPE, so that when we are at work, representing the DWP, we look smart and are working in a safe environment and are visible to all.

"If your PPE becomes unsuitable for use please follow your local depot procedures for requesting a replacement."

One of the senior managers to see a pay rise is director of DWP, Karyn Punchard, who is set to get a minimum increase of £10,188, bringing her wage up to just over £80,000.

The previous memo issued to staff had stated that it is "really not that hard" to sew up clothing and if staff can't sew it "there are always people around to help you or show you how".

The notice added that the new policy comes after "too many incidents" where staff have left protective clothing in vehicles and items have gone missing.

A Dorset County Council spokesman had said the memo had been sent as a "gentle reminder was sent to staff notifying them of their responsibilities to look after it."

But now the DWP have apologised for the "unauthorised communication".

Following information published in yesterday's Echo we would like to clarify the 2015/16 final revenue budget position for DWP was £519,584 underspent (about 1.6 per cent on the 2015/16 budget of £32.456 million). In addition a further £325,000 was paid back to partner councils, as a result of terminating the one per cent reserve. In June 2016 the DWP Joint Committee agreed to establish a new budget equalisation reserve. The 2015/16 saving of £519,584 has been transferred to this reserve.

The optimistic financial position of DWP has continued into the current financial year 2016/17 with a further forecast underspend of approximately £500K at this stage.