Councillors fear refuse service may be privatised

waterford | bin tax | other press Friday June 10, 2005 10:58 by ABTA

By Neans McSweeney, South-East Correspondent

WATERFORD County Council has proposed a private meeting next week to discuss waste disposal, sparking fears that part of the service is to be privatised.

Debate at Monday’s scheduled meeting is set to focus on waste and particular problems encountered with the brown or composting bin service.

Some councillors fear that proposals to privatise the service will only shift the responsibility for record service charge hikes proposed next year out of the hands of the local authority to a private company. Sinn Féin’s Brendan Mansfield says he may have to protest outside the in-camera meeting if that is what is proposed.

On Monday, councillors will be asked to vote whether or not to hold a private meeting on Friday to discuss waste arrangements. For that meeting to be held behind closed doors, a 50% majority will be required.

But Sinn Féin’s Brendan Mansfield says he’ll be voting for a public meeting on the matter, saying it’s in the public interest to do so. “I certainly won’t be voting in favour of a meeting in committee. Sinn Féin has always been of the view that once you bring in any service charge, you are going down the road of privatisation.

“And it seems like it’s looking like that now.”

In April, the Irish Examiner revealed plans to almost double the wheelie bin lift charge from next year, bringing the cost to €23 from €13.

Compost waste charges will spiral from €7.50 to €11 and recycling bags will shoot up from €2.25 to €5, according to Waterford County Council’s senior engineer in environment, Paul Daly.

The county council has refused to comment on the matter, saying that it will be discussed at Monday’s session.