Council may wave goodbye to bin waiver scheme

Westmeath County Council is considering making the poor pay the full charge of having their bins collected. Although refusing to confirm or deny the story, it is understood that Council officials have told county councillors at a series of meetings that the waiver scheme may have to go.It is understood that the waiver scheme is costing the Council €400,000 a year, and as budgets are tightened, Council officials don't believe that the county can afford to continue carrying the burden.With increasing numbers out of work, it is anticipated that the cost of continuing the waiver scheme could soar by 50 percent to €600,000 in 2010.Under the waiver system as it currently operates, families on low income get €120 worth of free bin tags annually.It is understood that within the Council Chambers, parties are divided on the issue, been telling them that it may be necessary for the local authority to get out of the business of waste disposal completely, and allow private operators to take over the entire waste collection system for the county.If that happens, it is unlikely that private operators could be persuaded to continue any form of waiver system.At present, Westmeath County Council is one of only a few local authorities still involved in the waste disposal business.Allied Waste Management, which is contracted by the Council to carry out its waste disposal services, faces fierce competition from private companies who operate waste collection services at a reduced rate.It is understood that the matter will be discussed when councillors meet with the Council Executive again next week.