O'Rourke calls for cost analysis of waste collection

Fianna Fáil's Cllr Aengus O'Rourke this week called for a cost benefit analysis of the privatisation of waste collection in Athlone, with the contract ensuring those in receipt of free bin tags would be accommodated. The motion at the September monthly meeting caused quite a stir among members, many of whom believed Cllr O'Rourke was suggesting the complete privatisation of waste collection, a motion they said they could not support as it would be unfair on those on the waiver scheme. However, Cllr O'Rourke said this was not his intention at all and not only was he supportive of the waiver scheme, he felt the council had an obligation to provide for people in receipt of free bin tags. When Cllr O'Rourke raised the matter at Monday evening's meeting he was told the whole issue of waste collection and management was currently being reviewed by Westmeath County Council and a report would be presented to the town council in due process. Cllr O'Rourke said he had raised the issue after realising waste collection was loss-making for the council and said this year alone the council would lose over €300,000 in the area of waste collection. He explained that the projected expenditure was €813,000, while income from tags was only expected to be €500,000. He said the revenue from tags would continue to fall in the coming years and some simple forecasts he had prepared showed the council could be losing as much as €500,000 a year in the area of waste collection by the end of the term of this council. "I am also aware that we have an obligation to the people who are in receipt of the waiver," said Cllr O'Rourke. Deputy Mayor Sheila Buckley Byrne (Ind) queried if there was a proposal for the council to withdraw from waste collection. Cllr O'Rourke said he was proposing that a detailed analysis be carried out. Cllr Buckley Byrne said the waiver scheme was very important and the council had a social obligation to provide such a scheme. "I would have to be assured the waiver scheme would be protected," she said. Sinn Féin's Cllr Paul Hogan agreed with Cllr Buckley Byrne. He said just because the privatisation of waste collection was cheaper it didn't mean the council should withdraw from providing the service. "I cannot support this motion and would be vehemently opposed to it," he said. Cllr Gabrielle McFadden (FG) said: "I couldn't support anything that would jeopardise the waiver scheme, but I agree we should look at it, but there has to be a way to look after those who can't afford it." Cllr Kieran Molloy (FF) said this was an issue that had been discussed at great length over the years at county council level. He said whether the councillors liked it or not they couldn't afford €500,00 a year and they would have to look at other ways of looking after the people who couldn't afford bin tags. Labour's Cllr Jim Henson said: "I'm totally opposed to this, we have a social obligation to look after these people." Cllr Alan Shaw (FG) suggested that the council reduce the price of bin tags so that they were in line with private operators and this may increase customers, thereby increasing revenue. Summing up Cllr O'Rourke said: "The motion has nothing to do with the withdrawal of the waiver scheme. I said we had an obligation to look after them. I think we should review the whole system. It is not the intention of the motion at all to get rid of the waiver scheme, it's a way of examining how we can save money. Our tags are 25-30% dearer and in a climate like this customers will go elsewhere." Cllr Paul Hogan said the council should look at saving money in other areas. Acting Director of Services Terry McKeigue said this was an area that was very topical at the moment and there were important policy decisions to be made in this area in the coming months and the issue would be before county councillors and town councillors.