Bin Refuse charges assistance

Cllr Keith Martin says that cases of hardship in relation to bin charges due to the removal of the waiver system by Westport Town Council will be assisted by Westport Town Council under its 2008 Budget despite the fact that the council have dropped its wavier scheme following the privatisation of the service.

At the recent Budget meeting of Westport Town Council, Town Manager Peter Hynes gave a specific undertaking to assist cases of hardship in relation to bin charges in response to Cllr Martin's proposal to retain a Bin Waiver Scheme. Cllr Martin's proposal was not supported at the Budget meeting.

Cllr Martin had sought to retain a €10,000 provision for a waiver from Westport Town Council's 2007 Budget and use it to fund a waiver system to assist low income families and pensioners whose sole income was the state pension.

"I researched the issue and discovered that Limerick City Council, who privatised their waste disposal service, have retained a waiver scheme to assist those who have difficulties meeting their bin charges. I presented a copy of this scheme at the Budget meeting but there was no appetite from officials or the majority of councillors for this scheme, which I think is a shame. However the manager did give me an undertaking that cases of hardship would be assisted by the council."

Cllr Martin says he will be contacting organisations like St Vincent de Paul, the two churches and local charities to ensure that those who are in need of assistance with the refuse charges get help.