Council U-turn as costly free bins plan axed

Council U-turn as costly free bins plan axed

16 January 2013

DOWN Council has vetoed a recommendation from one of its most influential committees to provide free replacement bins for ratepayers.

Last month, the local authority’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee proposed a new policy governing the free replacement of vandalised or stolen wheelie bins.

The estimated cost of implementing the policy over a 12-month period was £11,000, but at Monday night’s meeting of the full council, the committee recommendation was amended. Politicians have now agreed ratepayers should pay 50 per cent of the cost of a replacement bin.

Councillor William Dick expressed concern that a blanket policy of providing free replacement bins “could be open to abuse by others” and suggested he would be happier if ratepayers were asked to meet half the cost.

Councillor Terry Andrews agreed the policy suggested by the council committee “could be open to abuse,” while councillor Eamonn O’Neill said while he was not opposed to the proposed amendment, he suggested the policy should be reviewed in six months’ time to see how it is operating.

“When the council distributed wheelie bins to ratepayers it was clear they would be free, but that a charge would be levied for any replacement,” he reminded councillors.

“We have to think about what we are doing here. No matter what way you look at it, I don’t believe it’s the direction to be going in,” added councillor O’Neill.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe agreed replacement bins should be provided free of charge and issued a reminder that South Down MP Margaret Ritchie had in fact written to Down Council some months ago asking it to implement such a policy.

“We have people in our district who are paying thousands of pounds in rates and are we telling them they can’t have a free replacement bin? In my opinion it’s ridiculous to ask people to pay rates to keep this council going but not provide them with free bins,” he added.

Councillor Patrick Clarke said he thought it “grossly unfair” that people who through no fault of their own have their wheelie bins vandalised or stolen, have to pay for a replacement.

“To introduce a 50 per cent charge will affect the vulnerable, unemployed and pensioners in particular. In my opinion, the policy suggested by the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee last month should be implemented,” he added.

Councillor Willie Clarke expressed opposition to ask ratepayers to pay half the cost of a replacement wheelie bin, explaining many people including pensioners are left distraught if their bins are stolen or vandalised.

It was confirmed on Monday night that people whose wheelie bins have been stolen or vandalised have to report the matter to the PSNI who will issue them with a so-called crime number which they must then present to council officials when requesting a replacement bin.