Oban bin crisis could be resolved
A SOLUTION to the bins problem in Oban could be in the works after a productive meeting last week.
Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for roads and amenity services, Councillor Roddy McCuish, along with colleagues, met with Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) on Wednesday.
The Oban South and the Isles councillor said: ‘We had a very productive meeting with ACHA and there will be further meetings next week in an attempt to solve the Soroba challenge.
‘However, it’s not just Soroba. We have to look right across Oban, Lorn and the Isles.
‘But I am hopeful we have found a way forward to have more recycling bins in Soroba.’
Councillor McCuish said they will also have to look at the reliability of the council’s fleet.
Bins throughout Oban and Lorn were left overflowing after a number of lorry breakdowns hindered collections.
‘We can only apologise for the operational difficulties we have been experiencing with the Oban and Lorn refuse and recycling service,’ Councillor McCuish added.
‘These have been due to a number of vehicle breakdowns which have unfortunately happened all at the one time, coupled with the difficulty of getting hire vehicles in over the festive period.
‘Our colleagues in fleet have worked hard to get the vehicles back on the road and, through some controlled overtime, our bin teams are now up to date on domestic/general waste and commercial waste collections. The issue has not been with the level of manpower across the service but with the availability of vehicles to carry out the collections.
‘We endeavour wherever possible to catch up on any collections which are not carried out as planned, and manage to do so most of the time.
‘During periods of disruption we prioritise domestic/general waste collection over recycling as there are no environmental problems with recyclable material sitting out a little longer, whereas there can be with domestic/general waste.’
The decision was made to leave the recycling bins until the next scheduled uplift.
Councillor for Oban North and Lorn Kieron Green said: ‘I am disappointed at the problems that have occurred with the lorries. I accept this has resulted in an unacceptable situation regarding missed collections and, as a council, we will be working to ensure that this is not repeated.’
Fellow councillor Julie McKenzie was keen to ensure that areas across her constituency were seen to. She said: ‘Residents of Argyll and Bute all deserve the same service from the public purse, regardless of where they live. Whether you live on Lismore or in the centre of Dunollie, your rights to expect service are the same.’