I seek the support of Members of Leitrim County Council in calling on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to immediately put in place a Regulator for the waste industry, there is no body to regulate the industry with the result that operators can increase the charges whenever they want. Homes and businesses would have received correspondence from Barna Recycling in the past couple of weeks informing them of an service Charge increase of €9 per quarter plus an increase per kg for General Waste as and from the beginning of this month. This increase I fear will lead to further illegal dumping along our local road’s and in our bogs.
Minutes:
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Enda McGloin proposed that Motion No 13 in the name of Councillor Sean McGowan and Motion No 17 in the name of Councillor Sean McDermott and Motion No 23 in the name of Councillor Paddy O’Rourke be taken concurrently as they all relate to the increase in Waste Collection charges. This was agreed by the Members.
Motion from Councillor Sean McGowan:
"I seek the support of Members of Leitrim County Council in calling on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to immediately put in place a Regulator for the waste industry, there is no body to regulate the industry with the result that operators can increase the charges whenever they want. Homes and businessess would have received correspondence from Barna Recycling in the past couple of weeks informing them of an service Charge increase of €9 per quarter plus an increase per kg for General Waste as and from the beginning of this month. This increase I fear will lead to further illegal dumping along our local road’s and in our bogs."
Motion from Councillor Sean McDermott:
"I will ask Leitrim County Council to make contact with the relevant Minister regarding the rising costs of Waste Collection. There is no Economic Regulator in the waste Industry at the moment and this needs to be addressed."
Motion from Councillor Paddy O'Rourke;
"I ask that Leitrim County Council contact Barna Waste with a view to asking them to refrain from implementing the price hike of €9 in the quarterly charges which is now coming so quickly after the recent rise of €7. This is the last thing we need just as the public who were reluctant about the privatisation of waste collection were coming around to see it could work and will only lead to illegal dumping. A plague we don’t want to see revisited in the county."
Report by Head of Finance & Water Services
"Leitrim County Council has already contacted Barna Waste regarding complaints received by the Local Authority relating to the proposed price increase. Barna informed that they have a team of people on phone lines dealing with queries and explaining the various waste collection packages available to customers which is on their web site. (four different packages available). Price and charging for waste collection is a matter for the Collectors and the Local Authority has no role in this regard.
Leitrim County Council will however write to Barna Waste and highlight the concerns raised by citizens and Elected Members regarding the amended charging policy."
Councillor Sean McGowan stated that €36 is a huge increase at one time. Cllr Sean McGowan proposed that Leitrim County Council call on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to immediately put in place a Regulator for the waste industry, as there is no body to regulate the industry with the result that operators can increase the charges whenever they want and this will lead to more littering along our roads and bogs.
Councillor Sean McDermott said that such increases will continue if there is no Regulator in place to regulate the waste industry. He complimented the good service operated by Barna Waste and acknowledged the costs involved and noted that these price increases will lead to further littering for which Leitrim County Council will have to foot the bill.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke proposed that Leitrim County Council contact Barna Waste with a view to asking them to refrain from implementing the price hike stating that the increase in charges is going to inevitably lead to more dumping.
Councillor Padraig Fallon said that there was a motion in Sligo County Council recently about local authorities taking back in charge refuse collections..
Councillor Mary Bohan outlined that many people are now being penalised for doing their best in relation to recycling. An increase of 30% in the standing charge is huge and she proposed that Leitrim County Council have discussions with Barna Waste so that they can come to some agreement and this would be in their best interests. This is a big issue and if they continue to increase the prices no one will use the service.
Councillor Des Guckian stated Barna Waste has a monopoly in most of the county and thinks they can call the shots and the Local Authority should investigate putting the collections back under the control of County Council.
Councillor Brendan Barry supported the motions and acknowledged that Insurance premiums are resulting in increased waste collection charges.
Councillor Enda Stenson said the charges are unfair and he didn’t understand the reason for the increased charges, as diesel costs or wages have not increased.
Councillor Enda McGloin sought clarification about competition in the county.
Mr Vincent Dwyer said waste providers are entitled under their permit to work in and around the county as they so chose. Barna Waste has the majority of the business on Leitrim in regard to waste collection. Mr Dwyer confirmed he has spoken with Barna Waste and will speak with them again and express the wishes expressed by the Elected Members and report the outcome to the members through the SPC. Mr Dwyer outlined that the €144 standing charge in operation Galway is now replicated in Leitrim, this is due to increase in capital costs, such as new lorry fit outs and technology. A new draft policy document has recently been issued by the Department in relation to waste into the future, the closing date for submissions was two weeks ago but all concerns expressed can be forwarded to the Department who are compiling the policy.
Councillor Des Guckian proposed that Mr Vincent Dwyer talk to Barna Waste and express that the Elected Representatives are totally opposed to this increase.
Proposed by Councillor Sean McGowan seconded by Councillor Sean McDermott and UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:
"That Leitrim County Council call on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to immediately put in place a Regulator for the waste industry, there is no body to regulate the industry with the result that operators can increase the charges whenever they want. Homes and businessess would have received correspondence from Barna Recycling in the past couple of weeks informing them of an service Charge increase of €9 per quarter plus an increase per kg for General Waste as and from the beginning of this month. This increase I fear will lead to further illegal dumping along our local road’s and in our bogs."
"That Leitrim County Council make contact with the relevant Minister regarding the rising costs of Waste Collection. There is no Economic Regulator in the waste Industry at the moment and this needs to be addressed."
"That Leitrim County Council contact Barna Waste with a view to asking them to refrain from implementing the price hike of €9 in the quarterly charges which is now coming so quickly after the recent rise of €7. This is the last thing we need just as the public who were reluctant about the privatisation of waste collection were coming around to see it could work and will only lead to illegal dumping. A plague we don’t want to see revisited in the county."