Meeting imminent as waste collection delays continue

THE Chief Executive of Bryson is set to meet with the Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council soon after months of issues with the collection of bins and triple-stack recycling boxes.

The news was revealed at the Operations Committee of council on Monday night, where members were also presented with a report on the council’s high-achieving recycling rates.

Director of Environmental Services and Sustainability Michael Laverty confirmed that Shane Logan is also expected to attend a full monthly council meeting to address reps’ concerns over how the collection contract has been fulfilled.

Airport Sinn Fein Councillor Anne Marie Logue asked if any improvements were in sight, and said the service was currently ‘below substandard’.

During the meeting, DUP Dunsilly Alderman Linda Clarke received and read out a list of properties in Randalstown that had been missed, including one rural property that has had no service in 12 weeks.

Her Antrim Town party colleague Paul Dunlop asked for usage figures at recycling centres over the festive period after long queues were reported.

UUP councillor Robert Foster said that he was ‘astounded’ by Bryson’s response, pointing out that DUP rep Jeannie Archibald-Brown had called for an urgent meeting some time ago.

While Mr Lavery said there had been ‘diary clashes’ and Christmas holidays and that Bryson had submitted a recovery plan, Councillor Foster said: “To come back six weeks later is completely unacceptable.”

He said he found it ‘very strange’ that a message from council indicated that missed black bin collections on Monday would now take place on Saturday.

Independent Councillor Stafford Ward said that some of his constituents were waiting six weeks for collections.

Mr Laverty said that due to adverse weather conditions, it was unsafe for drivers to take a 26 tonne lorry into some developments.

He added that the weather meant that some households were yet to receive services from last week, and said that those were being prioritised.

The Director said it was better to ‘give people a definitive day rather than keep telling people to leave their bins out’.

“We are trying to make sure that the information getting through is as accurate as possible.” he said.

See full report in next week’s paper and a report on the council’s top recycling figures in the latest edition tomorrow (Tuesday)