Antrim and Newtownabbey: 'Collection service is far from the standard we expect,' says recycling bin contractor as councillors call for meeting

Members were given an update on the roll-out of the council’s triple stack wheelie box bins in the Antrim area at a meeting of the local authority at Mossley Mill on Monday evening.

A director said it has been completed “within schedule and on budget” to more than 25,000 households with “minimal issues” and has been overseen by an external monitor.

He reported an increase in recycling tonnage by 20 per cent for November compared to the same period for Antrim, in November, of last year.

The director went on to say he believed the roll-out has been carried out successfully amid “a strong element of members of the public who were not keen on the change”.

However, in terms of service delivery, he stated that there have been issues. “We are working with the contractor on a daily basis,” he added. He indicated that he would go into further detail behind closed doors when the meeting was “in confidence”.

Antrim DUP Councillor Paul Dunlop BEM asked if there are still service issues. He added: “Whilst I know what recycling is about, it is the service I am concerned about.”

Macedon Alliance Cllr Billy Webb MBE commented: “It is well-known this council bucks the trend on many issues. That is why we were awarded Council of the Year. Our recycling rate is tops and we want to maintain that. The triple stack in Newtownabbey was a massive success and the rate-payer bought into that. Our recycling rate went up.

“I find myself now at a disadvantage, I have been contacted by so many constituents experiencing problems now that they weren’t experiencing before.”

Residents Annoyed

Cllr Webb went on to say the collection service is “far from the standard we expect”. “Residents are annoyed and members are frustrated,” he remarked. He proposed that the contractor be brought to a meeting of the council.

Macedon Independent Cllr Stafford Ward reported that he knew of 400 to 500 bins which have not been emptied, some of which, he claimed, were left unemptied for three to four weeks.

Airport DUP Alderman Matthew Magill seconded CllrWebb’s proposal saying: “I think all of us have been dealing with this issue for a quite a number of weeks. Unfortunately, it keeps repeating itself.

“It has spread right across the borough. I think it is right that this council is given the opportunity to voice its dissatisfaction with the service delivery we have experienced on behalf of our ratepayers across the borough.

“The standard of service has fallen well below that which we have become accustomed to. The last number of weeks have demonstrated we have an issue. It is an issue we are going to have to grasp with both hands.”

Antrim SDLP Cllr Roisin Lynch said it has been “very distressing” especially for elderly residents and for those who have availed of assisted lifts or who live up “long lanes” and have been left “distressed, confused and annoyed”.

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Cllr Lynch suggested the larger 240 litre black bins should have remained in place for another few weeks. The director replied the Department says both new bins should be in use at the same time.

Antrim Alliance Cllr Neil Kelly said he would welcome the opportunity to meet with Bryson adding: “Ratepayers need answers to this.”

In response to Cllr Kelly’s query about glass collection, the director advised that the recycling figure for last month included glass collected from households in the Antrim area.

In a statement issued to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Bryson Recycling said: “We apologise to residents for the recent issues affecting our collection services. These disruptions have been caused by staffing challenges resulting from the national shortage of drivers, along with unprecedented levels of sickness related to the current flu outbreak.

“Our teams have been working exceptionally hard to maintain collections, including undertaking evening and weekend shifts to ensure service delivery. We are working closely with council and taking all necessary steps to resolve these issues as quickly as possible and restore normal service levels.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter