Sinn Féin Call For End To Fly Tipping

Sinn Féin Councillorxa0Éamonn Mac Conxa0Midhe has called on those people involved in fly tipping inxa0Downpatrick and surrounding areas to use the amenity centre inxa0Downpatrick in the interests of both health and the environment. Councillor Mac Conxa0Midhe said,xa0“We have seen an increase in fly tipping in the area since Down District Council introduced charges for household bulk collections, as a small minority of people have been loading up their vehicles with household rubbish and dumping it in both their own housing estates and in the countryside.” “When the arguments were being put forward by our political opponents in regard to the introduction of charges, Sinnxa0Féin was the only party to strenuously oppose the introduction of these charges along with the removal of the rubble skip in the amenity centre. We warned that it would not only lead to an increase in fly tipping, but a policy built on a false economy, in that the number of people paying the £10 removal charge would not compensate for the amount it costs Down District Council to remove such illegal dumping.” He also called for a more “transparent” system of dealing with decisions taken in regard to Council rates and charges, and added,xa0“In an effort to re-connect people with their local government I believe it would be in the ratepayers’ interests to have the Rates Working Parties meetings open to the public, or at the very least minutes could be published, so ratepayers can see how parties are voting on the issues that affect their everyday lives.”]]>