Make council tenants have a waste bin as part of their tenancy
COUNCIL TENANTS should be made to agree to have a waste bin as part of their tenancy as a way to reduce dumping in our district, Cllr Michael Sheehan said.
At a recent meeting of New Ross Municipal District council Cllr Sheehan asked if the council can make it a condition when leasing a house that the tenant has waste and recycling bins. He was informed that as private collection providers are involved, the charge would have to be applied separately.
Cllr John Fleming said the council could tender for a provider.
Cllr Larry O’Brien said the rapid response fly tipping team should be equally dedicated to solving the proble of illegal dumping in rural areas, as it is in urban areas.
Senior Engineeer Gerry Forde said the rapid response unit will work in conjunction with tidy towns groups in the district to target black spots. ‘ There will be a black van going around and we’ll be using CCTV,’ he said.
Cllr Anthony Connick said tidy towns groups know whidh areas are being used as dumping grounds. Mr Forde said cooperation is needed so when people become aware of illegal dumping they are asked to contact the response unit immediately so evidence can be taken from the scene and examined at a depot. The unit will operate six days a week and will also carry out ring buoy inspections.
‘We will work very closely with the district manager Sinead.’
Cllr Michael Whelan asked if the Spring Clean initiative can be expanded as it leads to hundreds of bags of rubbish being collected in communities. The council mattress disposal initiative in 2017 was hailed as a great success by Cllr Fitzharris, who said that despite criticism from neighbouring local authorities about the plan, it is now being adopted in some of these counties. Cllr Connick said: ‘It’s the same crowd that are throwing four to five bags from their cars. They are targeting areas like Rosbercon Hill and near the Albatros plant. The foxes or birds get at the closed bags and rip them apart. They do it out at Raheen as well, (and at numerous other areas), and it’s actually getting worse and worse. Another problem is the number of people putting their rubbish in our bins. The cost to the council is abnormal and we are down men. We would be better off to put a skip up at the recycling centre.’
Cllr Fithzarris asked if a bin charge could be incorporated into the Local Property Tax charge.
Cllr Larry O’Brien said: don’t pay property tax.’
Mr Forde said people using waste collection services at petrol stations will have to keep receipts as they may be requested. ‘Some people