A 12 week public consultation is being launched on the controversial multi-million pound new kerbside collection policy

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) has faced opposition from a number of charity groups on its multi-million pound plans for a new kerbside collection system across the city area.

The policy, which was agreed behind closed doors in January during a meeting at the council headquarters at Lagan Valley Island, will see an increased recycling bin size and a decrease in the capacity of household waste bins.

Lisburn South DUP Councillor Alderman Paul Porter, who has campaigned against part of the policy, urged people to attend respond to the consultation.

He said: “I would urge our residents to get involved in the consultation.

“From the outset, my fight from the start, was for any new bin policy to have the support of the public.

“This new bin policy is a significant investment of ratepayer money and I want to make sure, that they have their say.”

In March, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council “abandoned” its tender for the new bin contract with a statement issued on the government website ‘Gov.UK’.

The move came in the wake of criticism of new bins sizes by charity groups such as Friends of the Earth and AgeNI.

A local authority spokesperson has outlined the consultation programme to the Local Democracy Service, saying: “As part of a 12-week equality consultation period on the kerbside collection model, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council is hosting six ‘drop in’ consultation sessions for residents across the area.

“These sessions will provide further opportunities for residents to discuss the model with the council team and provide their views.

“We would encourage residents to attend and also complete the consultation questionnaire. It is available online at www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/kerbside.”

Drop in sessions on the proposed changes will be held on Tuesday August 8 at Dundonald International Ice Bowl from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm; on Thursday August 10 at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex from 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm; and on Thursday August 17 at Lough Moss Leisure Centre from 11am to 3pm and 5pm to 8pm.