Northern MHKs say 'roundtable' discussion needed for NCAS resolution

Follows Bride Commissioners' decision to pull out of paying for amenity site

Two MHKs for the north say there needs to be a ‘round table discussion’ with all parties involved in operating the Northern Civic Amenity Site. 

The joint committee which runs the facility is blaming the decision by Bride Commissioners - to pull out of paying into the site - for changes to opening times, ID checks and the closure of the reuse area. 

The Northern Civic Amenity Site has come under fire from residents about the changes to opening times, the introduction of ID checks and the closure of the reuse site.

It’s led to the NCAS joint committee asking the Department of Infrastructure to pay the £67,000 shortfall left by Bride Commissioners.

MHK for Ayre and Michael Tim Johnston says the local authority needs to meet with the committee to come to a resolution.

But he believes the Department of Infrastructure should be coming up with a new ‘structure’ of payment and operation because the model has ‘broken down’:

Since April the NCAS has made a number of changes to how the amenity site operates.

ID checks were introduced in April, the operating hours were changed – so the site is now closed on a Sunday and Monday - and the reuse shed was formally closed in August.

These residents would like to see the changes reversed:

Ramsey MHK Alex Allinson says he thinks waste management should remain under the control of the local authorities.

He believes Bride Commissioners should be involved in a discussion and would be ‘willing’ to join it.

And Dr Allinson says if a resolution isn’t found then ‘pressure’ would be put on central government to look at rates:

Last week Bride Commissioners said it won't be 'bullied, cajoled or brought to heel' to rejoin the Northern Civic Amenity Site.

The Department of Infrastructure has previously said it 'committed' in April to work with the Northern Civic Amenity Site Joint Committee and this 'remains' the case.