Councillors meet to debate bin trial fate

The Leader understands officers were expected to recommend the trial - under which black bins on selected routes are emptied only every four weeks - sees out the life of the council, with the new amalgamated local authority, which takes up the reins in earnest come April, to decide if it should continue beyond that.

Barring a seismic shift in the positions adopted by councillors thus far, any such recommendation would seem almost certain to have found favour, despite a vocal campaign of opposition to the more or less monthly bin lift.

Last night’s full council meeting follows Councillor Paul Rankin’s request late last year for a comprehensive review of the black bin trial.

Officers were due to present councillors with a comprehensive report on the trial and its outcomes.

Again, if all went as expected, it will now be for the so-called Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon supercouncil to determine if the trial outlives its parent and proceeds into April or beyond.

That debate - whether the trial continues or fortnightly collections resume as of April - is likely to unfold first among members of the new authority’s Services committee early next month, before ratification by the full council later in March.

A decision must be reached before bin collection schedules are circulated among local householders.