Residents demand tax refund as bins go to three-weekly pick-up

RUBBISH problems are persisting in north Argyll with users demanding a ‘refund’ of council tax and threats of dumping rubbish at council buildings unless the plans are changed.

With a new three-weekly general waste bin collection getting under way on Monday and rolled out over the next two months council tax payers are still not convinced the pre- Christmas plan will work in the area.

Privately, one elected member is saying the scheme will not work ‘and the local authority knows it’. Senior councillor Roddy McCuish defended the plan saying that some years ago residents were complaining about two-weekly collections for general waste. The local authority has said recycling ser- vices will be increased when the new three-weekly general waste collection service begins from Monday October 3 on Mull, Islay and Jura and from November 28 in Oban, Lorn, Lismore, Tiree, Coll and Colonsay.

There are no plans to educate people on the use of the bins but a new calendar of collection will be issued ‘soon’.

One councillor at Oban Community Council commented after the meeting that he knew it wouldn’t work but had to make the right noises in public.

Community councillor George Berry said: ‘This scheme will not work in Soroba. We already have overflowing bins. Any rubbish bags that don’t make it into the bin will be brought to you [the council] and left outside the yard or on the steps at Albany Street.’

Through The Oban Times website, Soroba resident Leonie Angus said: ‘ The bin areas in Soroba are overflowing after one week. It’s going to be disgusting.’

Heather Brennan called the reduced service ‘a joke’ and said: ‘Reduce our council tax then since the council does nothing for us.

Young mum of two Nikki Warham said: ‘I have a child in nappies and a toddler in nighttime pull-ups. Kids also don’t always finish their dinner. My rubbish is going to pile up. We pay council tax for this service.’

Oban’s David MacLennan said: ‘ Why don’t Argyll and Bute Council cut back some of the wages that the so- called top brass are taking home?’

A council spokesman said: ‘Houses with shared bins will receive additional green bins where required, as well as blue bins.’