Fears that Glasgow’s bulk uplift service could be privatised in the future have risen as plans to introduce a monetary rate for this work continue.
Modern technology could also be introduced by the city council in a bid to clean up Glasgow’s streets more effectively as the local authority looks to launch a targeted campaign to encourage residents to reuse and recycle their waste.
At Thursday’s full council meeting councillor Ade Aibinu asked for reassurances that charging “hard pressed” citizens would lead to a gold standard service.
He was informed that other private operators could also collect bulk waste meaning the council would have to offer a reasonable rate.
Councillor Anna Richardson responded: “[Charging] will not only allow the council to provide this service but it will also enable us to invest in the service which will result in more accessible and reliable services for our citizens.
“In addition to mitigate against flytipping we will be able to use equipment such as CCTV to prevent this behaviour.”
Charges elsewhere across the country currently vary from between £13 and £98. Councillors agreed the introduction of bulk uplift charging on February 20 bringing them in line with almost every other local authority in Scotland.
Councillor Ade Abinu said: “What I don’t understand is whether you are asking people to pay more for less. I think that needs to be made clear. People need to know what service provision they can expect to receive.
“Will this lead to a gold standard service for people in Glasgow?”
Ms Richardson said this would allow the council to improve the standard of service with modern technology speeding up collection times.
She said: “We will be able to form a targeted campaign work where we encourage residents to reuse and recycle and more effective targeted enforcement will help to improve these conditions as well.
“I think it is worth pointing out that while we will be able to do all we can to provide this service, there’s no reason why other operators can’t collect bulk. In that case we will need to remain competitive and provide a good value service if we want to remain in that market.”
Following the meeting Labour councillor Paul Carey said that councillors feared that the bulk uplift could be privatised in the future.
He said: “What does councillor Richardson think the city is going to look like once her administration bring in bulk charges for bulk? Can she give a guarantee that the bulk kerbside service will not be privatised?
“It is quite clear this is all about cutting jobs and services to the people of Glasgow at same time putting another charge on top of what they already paid for council tax.”
