570 complaints about missed bin collections

570 complaints about missed bin collections

27 November 2024

NEW figures have revealed that Newry, Mourne and Down Council received almost 570 reports of missed bin collections, stolen or broken domestic refuse bins over the past four months.

Currently, ratepayers have to contact the local authority by telephone to report issues with their bins but, from the New Year, they will be able to do it online.

The number of reported missed collections, broken or missing bins was confirmed at last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Sustainability and Environment Committee, which recently set up a dedicated cleansing and refuse taskforce to examine in detail the district’s waste collection service.

It was confirmed at last week’s committee meeting that 548 of the near 570 complaints were dealt with 12 issues still under investigation.

The taskforce was established following a proposal by Rowallane DUP councillor Jonny Jackson, who said he was pleased that progress was being made with a critical look at refuse collection services and how they can be improved.

He said he was also keen to see a general review of routes used by waste collection vehicles and how the council can develop its overall waste strategy to improve effectiveness and efficiency in this sector.

Cllr Jackson said the data from the feedback to date was being analysed to provide a detailed breakdown for each town and village to identify where services need to be improved.

Taskforce members are also undertaking a condition survey of the district’s litter bins, their location and requests for additional bins to help with the drive to reduce littering.

And, in a new departure, council officials are examining the potential for solar-powered litter bins.

Generate

The solar panels generate power to trigger mini compactors inside the bins so they can accommodate more rubbish, ensuring litter does not spill out of them.

Cllr Jackson said all the data currently being gathered will help determine where service improvements are required in relation to both bin collections and district cleansing.

“The data will drive a new strategy going forward and help iron out some of the issues ratepayers across the entire district are facing,” he continued.

“The bottom line for me is ensuring ratepayers are getting value for money and the best possible service from Newry, Mourne and Down Council.”

Cllr Jackson said while the local authority operated with an annual budget running into tens of millions of pounds, one issue of key significance for many people was the delivery of core services like bin collections.

“The exercise to carry out a detailed analysis of the volume of bins not collected and the number of broken bins across each District Electoral Area has been revealing,” he continued.

“It is essential the local authority delivers basic services efficiently and cost effectively and every single ratepayer should receive a quality service. That has to be the goal.”

Cllr Jackson said the number of missed bin collections, stolen or broken bins over a four-month period highlights the scale of the problem.

“The figures also show how efficient the council response has been and the staff responsible for dealing with these issues deserve praise,” he said.

He said that in addition to a full district cleansing review, the taskforce will focus on securing additional resources to provide a “higher standard of consistent service from bin collections to street sweeping and pavement cleansing”.

Anyone with cleansing issues is asked to contact the local authority on 0330 137 4047 or email recycling@nmandd.org