Don't let this be 'Big Brother' - McShane

The Council is putting the Global Positioning System trackers into five refuse collection vehicles, a mechanical sweeper and four street cleaning vans.

A Council report said the economic benefits include:

* Potential of increased productivity.

* Allow accurate monitoring of collection workloads.

* Fuel savings by more efficient route analysis.

* A five per cent decrease in insurance costs.

* Reduced operating costs.

* Improved customer service.

The report said the technology would assist in dealing with complaints about missed bin collections and it could even assess economic driving techniques by looking at ‘prolonged vehicle idling or unauthorised route variations’.

The scheme costs 7,900 for ten vehicles for three years.

Ulster Unionist councillor Willie Graham said: “I think we should go down this road. I feel it could save us a bit of money and give a better idea of where everything is.”

DUP councillor David McAllister said it is an “excellent idea”.

Councillor Paudie McShane said he is happy with the proposal but said he would be concerned it could be used as a “big brother thing” and he asked that that would not be the case.

Council officer Aidan McPeake said Unions said they had no objections to the technology being used as an operational tool.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said such schemes are used by many contractors and said it is a way of “getting your eight hours out of a man” and ensuring people work to say 4.30pm instead of going home at 4pm.