ABC Council to meet cost of replacing bins damaged during unrest
As a gesture of goodwill towards residents and businesses whose wheelie bins need to be replaced due to damage caused during the recent civil unrest, ABC councillors have approved plans to provide new bins free of charge.
The number of wheelie bins that will have to be replaced is relatively small – 12 bins – with 240-litre bins costing £24.20 each when collected at the depot, or £35.10 if delivered.
The equivalent charge for 360-litre bins is £49 when collected at the depot, or £55.90 if delivered.
Speaking at the latest monthly council meeting, head of Environmental Services, Lisa Doherty outlined the range of options to be considered in relation to those bins that have been either badly damaged or destroyed.
She commented: “This report has been brought forward following a request from the Governance, Resources & Strategy Committee to consider the issue of replacement wheelie bins during periods of civil unrest.
“A report was presented and discussed with party leaders, and this report reflects their proposed direction.
“The purpose of the report was to present the options to members in relation to whether the council should provide replacement bins free of charge where they are being damaged or destroyed in certain circumstances, and to outline the potential financial and operational implications of each approach.”
The officer said there is no single consistent approach across other Northern Ireland councils.
“Options were presented to party leaders. Option one was to retain the current charging arrangements for all replacement bins, including where loss or damage occurs during periods of unrest.
“Option two was to provide all replacement bins free of charge during periods of unrest.
“Option three was to provide replacement bins only where specified eligibility criteria were met — for example, with [supporting] evidence or a PSNI crime reference number.
“Option three seeks to balance support for affected residents with some control over cost expenditure. However, it would be more resource-intensive to administer and would require clear criteria and an agreed process, such as the PSNI crime reference number.
“Following discussions with party leaders, it is recommended that members consider and approve the following approach: the council cover the costs for the bins already purchased as a result of the recent unrest — approximately 12 bins at a cost of £421.
“An interim arrangement [will] be introduced which would require householders to have a PSNI crime reference number to qualify for a wheeled bin free of charge, and this would not be linked to a defined period of civil unrest.
“And officers [will] develop a robust policy for the replacement of bins free of charge, with further detail and costings, which will then be presented to members in committee for further consideration.”
Alderman Mark Baxter (DUP) welcomed the prospect of residents and businesses, who have been impacted by civil unrest, being issued with replacement bins free of charge.
He commented: “I brought this up under AOB at Governance, Policy and Resources [committee]. I am happy to propose what is in front of us tonight.
“I think that, whilst it is not the council’s fault that residents and businesses had their bins burnt during that unfortunate period, it is certainly not the fault of the businesses or residents either.
“I think it is a small token that we can offer as elected representatives to replace these bins, as we do get a few calls about it. It is not going to bankrupt the council by any means, and I think it is a small gesture.
“When people have had businesses damaged and windows broken, to then be landed with a bill for a bin on top of that slightly smacks of unfairness to me.
“I appreciate that from an officer perspective, it will be more intensive in terms of staff time, and I know officers are already under pressure, as all departments are in council. I am very happy to propose what is in front of us.”
Councillor Thomas O’Hanlon (SDLP) believed the free replacement of bins should not be restricted to any designated time period: “When we met with the interim chief executive [Charlene Stoops] and officers on Friday, this issue was discussed, and my suggestion was to take the defined period of civil unrest out of the original proposal.
“The reason being that if there was an area blighted by antisocial behaviour or something similar, this approach would make allowance for that as well — but it does require a crime reference number.
“To me, this is a pragmatic approach and I am happy to second. A good, well-thought-out, clearly defined policy is particularly important.”
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Likewise, Cllr Peter Lavery (Alliance) agreed with the recommended policy: “The group leaders were all agreed on this approach. It is very tough for those who have been involved in these attacks — their houses threatened, property damaged — to then be landed with a bill from council for one, two, or even three new bins.
“It is simply unfair and it should not be happening. We should be supporting victims of crime, and as Councillor O’Hanlon mentioned, various antisocial behaviour incidents would fall under this in due course.
“It is important that we get a strong policy, but I think we should all support the direction we are going in tonight.
“Hopefully, those who have had to pay for these bins — 12 was the number mentioned in the report — will be reimbursed, and I hope that will give them some comfort.”
Concluding, ABC Lord Mayor, Cllr Mary O’Dowd (SF) remarked: “I totally agree with everything that has been said. I think it is a disgrace that people are out there doing such acts.”
The recommendation to provide impacted householders and businesses with free replacement bins was formally approved.