Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
New uplift charge is rubbish
Politicians hit out at price increase
Special up lifts for household items have resumed across North Lanarkshire–but opposition politicians have criticised the introduction of a previously- planned price increase for the service.
The council this week reinstated “limited” special uplifts for the first time since the service was suspended in March due to coronavirus restrictions, subject to item and weight restrictions to ensure the work can be carried out by single staff members to adhere to social distancing.
While this has been welcomed by local politicians, they hit out at the new cost of £35, which has taken effect after a £10 increase was agreed in February’s budget.
Conservative group leader Meghan Gallacher called it “ill thought-out”, saying householders currently have no other waste disposal options while recycling centres are closed, while Airdrie parliamentarians Neil Gray and Alex Neil said that implementing the price rise is “unreasonable”.
However, council leader Jim Logue hit back, saying the reintroduction of the service will help tackle the issue of fly-tipping, which has been on the increase during the lockdown period and expressed disappointment at what he called “political games”.
Mr Gray, the Airdrie & Shotts MP, had written to the council to ask about the resumption of the special uplift service and said: “It’s a great decision by North Lanarkshire to restart special uplifts, but to increase the cost from a pre-lockdown level of £25 is unreasonable.
“Many are on vastly reduced incomes, so I would have hoped the council might have given the first uplift free and then, if it has to charge, stick to the original cost.”
Mr Neil added: “This move smacks of profiteering by the council – there should be a complimentary first free uplift and then the original charge, although this is also rather high.
“North Lanarkshire Council needs to rethink this and do something to help the community, not compound the issues.”
Cllr Gallacher said: “There is no other service currently available to residents of North Lanarkshire to dispose of waste responsibly – it makes no sense for the council to reintroduce a reduced service for a higher price. I understand that the council must implement the decisions taken by elected members; however, options must be made available to residents of North Lanarkshire, so they are not held to ransom over a £35 charge.”
Responding to Cllr Gallacher, Cllr Logue said : “I’m disappointed that after many weeks of working together in the interests of our residents, we now have councillors indulging in political games at a time of great worry and concern for so many in our communities.
“I share the frustrations of those who wish our recycling centres to be open so household waste can be disposed of properly, but the fact remains that Scottish Government guidance still states that recycling centres should remain closed for the time being.
“They have clearly made that decision in line with the information given by scientific advisers, and it’s crucial that we all continue to follow this advice to stop the spread of the virus.
“In the meantime, we will reintroduce a special uplift service which, though not ideal, will go some way to tackle some of the issues we have seen with flytipping of late.
“Our administration will continue working constructively with all levels of government in order to best protect the health of the people of North Lanarkshire.”
Council officials say the special uplifts are available for “bags of waste or items that can be carried by one person, [ weighing] a maximum of 20kg and no more than 1m in length, to follow physical distancing guidance and minimise risk to our staff”.
A council spokesperson said: “We are waiting on the Scottish Government changing their guidance to allow us to open household waste recycling centres, which would allow residents to dispose of excess rubbish free of charge. In the meantime, residents have the choice to pay for a special uplift for bulky items or household waste as they would normally.
“The charge is in line with other local authorities and was agreed by elected members in the budget for this financial year.
“Fly-tipping is illegal and anyone caught faces a £200 fixed penalty notice.”
Mr Gray and Mr Neil are encouraging people to use the Dumb Dumpers website run by Zero Waste Scotland to report illegal dumping.
Mr Gray said: “Fly-tipping has been an issue in the area for a long time and the initiative by Zero Waste Scotland might make people realise that there is a consequence to dumping rubbish.
“Alex and I had set up a meeting with SEPA, Police Scotland and North Lanarkshire Council which we then had to postpone due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We’re looking to set this up again as soon as possible once the lockdown is over.”
■ Turn to p12 for more on flytipping concerns in Monklands.