Additional staff working evenings and weekends could be deployed to help address a backlog in ABC Council’s bulky waste collection service.
And a new centralised system for the service is also to be rolled out shortly.
Confirmation came in response to questions raised by DUP Councillor Scott Armstrong at December’s environment committee.
He said: “At this time of year many people will be heading to the recycling centres to make room for Christmas coming up.
“There would be a lot of people in our borough who wouldn’t be able to access recycling centres and would depend on council doing the bulky lifts.”
But addressing concerns directly to head of environmental services Lisa Doherty, Councillor Armstrong said: “I’ve been made aware this week that we had a bit of a backlog and delays in getting bulky lifts done.
“Can you advise why there is a backlog within the bulky collections, how many collections are outstanding and what are the plans to get this service back up and running again? Any people who have contacted me have said there has been delays and they’re unable to get it. Can council reach out to them if there is plans in place to get a bulky lift sorted?”
The head of department highlighted efforts which were ongoing around concerns raised, but emphasised that bulky lifts were still open to book.
“We are aware that there has been a few resourcing issues with the bulky waste collection, be that with staffing or with vehicles,” explained Ms Doherty. “We are addressing that at the moment too.
“I looked at the service earlier on today and there are slots that are available in each of the depots over the coming weeks as well. So there are slots there and, where there is a backlog, we will be putting out additional staff in evenings or on the weekends to cover any backlog where necessary.”
Looking ahead, the officer added: “We are also working on another scheme to put in a centralised bulky waste collection service which we hope to launch in the middle of December. That would be a stand alone bulky service, with dedicated staff and dedicated vehicles.”
It will also have a centralised telephone number when rolled out, Councillor Armstrong and fellow committee members were informed.
Having asked if he could forward details of those experiencing difficulties to have their issues addressed “in a timely manner”, he was advised: “We do have a dedicated number of spots throughout the week, so they’ll need to phone to make sure they book in a spot in each of the areas.”
More details on the service are expected to follow, and a report on how the centralised service is working out would be brought back to committee in January.
The issue of bulky lifts had been raised off the back of a report of changes to planned opening hours at some recycling centres from next summer, which will take effect from April.
It was agreed to amend times for Keady, Markethill and Tandragee, which are all now set to open and close an hour earlier, changing from 11am to 5.45pm, Tuesday to Friday, to 10am to 4.45pm. There would be no change to Saturday hours.
A report to – and approved by – committee explained: “This will bring the weekday closing times into line with all other sites but will have no budgetary impact, as the number of operational hours will remain the same.”
