Householders in Co Waterford are to be asked to pay €8 per wheelie bin lift in 2003 as Waterford County Council seeks to balance its budget.
A 67-page report, to be presented to members of the local authority by the county manager, Mr Donal Connolly, on Friday, provides for expenditure of over €50.7 million by the council in the current year. One of the most contentious elements of the estimates is likely to be the increase in the wheelie bin charge from €6 to €8. The cost of a similar service provided by Waterford City Council will increase from €2.54 to €5 if that local authority adopts its estimates. In the county, the cost of having dry recyclables collected is also to increase. At present a charge of 75 cent is imposed on each bag. This will increase to €1.25 if Mr Connolly's estimates are accepted. Among the reasons cited for the increased waste collection charges is the planned closure of the council's landfill site in Dungarvan from June. The local authority will then be forced to transport waste by road from west Waterford to the landfill site adjacent to the beach in Tramore. The county manager describes the budget provisions as the "minimum which is necessary to provide a proper service to the people of the county".
The report also said the figures represent a "significant reduction on the amount of money which the individual sections [of the council] would feel are necessary to provide the type of service they wish".