Staffing levels are one of the main reasons five recycling centres in Mid Ulster are yet to reopen, members of Mid Ulster District Council’s environment committee have been told.
The issue was raised by Clogher Valley Councillor Frances Burton, who said she had been contacted by people and businesses in Fivemiletown asking when their recycling centre would open.
“Residents and businesses people in Fivemiletown are ratepayers and feel they are getting a lesser service,” said Cllr Burton.
“I am fully aware there are other areas like this as well but I hear this a lot from people who live in that patch and I would be keen to see if we can bring forward an opening date.”
A council officer said: “There are five centres (Ballymacombs, Castledawson, Draperstown, Fivemiletown and Moneymore) not open and there a couple of reasons as to why.
“The main issue is one of resources. In terms of staffing we still have a significant number of staff shielding or in the vulnerable group and until those folk come back in it will be difficult to open more.
“We have already taken some in and redeployed them but on some sites adhering to the social distancing rules will be difficult. Those are the main reasons why we have yet to open any more centres.
“I can’t give a specific date as I don’t know when people are coming back to work. It really is a question of resources but as soon as they are available I will inform the councillor and we will adopt an approach that allows the centres to open in a safe manner.”
This response was met with some confusion from Cllr Burton who said she had been informed staff resources were not a problem.
“In a previous meeting we were told we had plenty of staff and that is the reason I am raising this tonight,” said Cllr Burton.
“I find that we are getting a mixed message between officers in the Council.”
In response to this the Council officer said it remains a fact there are 30 staff unavailable to environment and property services.
“It is a medical assessment that enables those staff to come back to work but as soon as we have resources available we will reopen,” he said.
“The last thing I want to do is reopen facilities that I then have to close again because of a shortage of staff.”
