COUNTY HALL 21 January 2003: Further debate on Kildare County Council’s Budget 2003 has been adjourned until Monday morning next with a number of speakers yet to have their say on many of the features proposed by County Manager Niall Bradley.
In his report, the manager said the 2003 estimated revenue and capital expenditure will be in the general order of E300 million.
A major bone of contention among some councillors was the proposed hike in domestic refuse charges of 33% to E320 for a large 240 litre bin and E240 for the smaller 140 litre bin. They believe many households in the county ‘will be hard put to pay this massive increase’.
The Council anticipates receiving E5.1m from the domestic sector this year and E4.4m from the commercial sector. Landfill costs for dumping baled refuse at Arthurstown, Kill, are anticipated to cost E6.6m.
Cllr Rainsford Hendy (FG) was among the councillors who spoke on bin charges during the afternoon session on Monday calling them ‘quite severe’, and hitting industry and households. He supported a proposal to have greater use of the small bin and to encourage people to use it thus cutting down on the amount of refuse generated in the county, and also to encourage recycling. Those who want to move down to a smaller bin, he said, should be able to do so without encountering much difficulty.
Leixlip’s Cllr Catherine Murphy (Lab) slammed the bin charge increases as ‘absolutely exorbitant’ and laid down a marker that she would not be supporting the Budget because of this. She wanted to know how other local authorities can use Arthurstown landfill for less than Kildare County Council. “It’s beyond me,” she told the meeting.
Maynooth’s Cllr John McGinley (Lab) believed the smaller sized bin should be the standard bin size. He asked if the Council will now empty litter bins given out under the litter bin grant scheme and also provide the skip scheme for Residents Associations which ended last June. He was supported in seeking the return of the skip scheme by FF Cllr Paul Kelly who added he has yet to see notice of anyone receiving a litter fine.
Ind Cllr Anthony Lawlor (Johnstown) said people on waivers should be provided with a small sized bin free of charge and those who want a bigger bin should pay for it on the grounds that ‘the polluter pays’.
Senator Jack Wall (Lab. Athy) hoped the manager would come back on Monday with a new proposal regarding the refuse charge saying ‘it’s a must that we look to see the problem in adopting this charge’. As it stands, he added, it’s going to have major consequences. On his way to the meeting Sen Wall had seen black bags and washing machines dumped in ditches near Suncroft. He told how refuse is being emptied into canals in the county and said this will continue unless the charges are lowered.
