Commercial waste uplift arrangements may be set to change for the better in South Lanarkshire following a recent vote by councillors.
Rutherglen Central and North ward’s two SNP councillors, Janine Calikes and Andrea Cowan, put forward a motion at a meeting of the council on November 20.
This was in light of repeated complaints about the state of Main Street in Rutherglen which is often clogged with commercial waste.
South Lanarkshire Council does not operate a commercial waste service, unlike other local authorities, with individual businesses having to arrange and manage collections themselves.
The motion, which passed unanimously, instructs council officers to explore and report on the feasibility of introducing a new system – including the possibility of allocated time slots for commercial waste which would minimise the time waste is placed on streets, to consult with businesses and their service providers on any new arrangements, and to consider the options and implications of supporting businesses to adjust to any changes.
Cllr Janine Calikes noted that on-street commercial waste can lead to people “adding” to the rubbish by tossing their litter in its general direction and fly-tipping next to it, as well as spillage attracting urban foxes, rats and other vermin.
The two councillors and Rutherglen’s MSP Clare Haughey have surveyed local residents during the past year, and the sight of commercial waste on the Main Street was repeatedly raised as an issue that the council need to address.
Cllr Calikes said: “Council agreed with me that commercial waste management is an issue throughout the authority and on Rutherglen Main Street it has long been a problem.
“The state of the Main Street is one of the overwhelming issues raised with me by constituents, with commercial waste being reported again and again as an issue. I hope that, as Rutherglen 900 approaches, council officers can now come back with some sensible solutions that will bring shoppers back to our local retailers and see Ruglonians able to once again take pride in our town.”
Cllr Andrea Cowan added, “You’ve only to walk along Rutherglen Main Street to see that the current arrangements for commercial waste uplift aren’t working and that’s why I’m delighted our motion has passed and the council will now re-examine its policy.
“Ever since I was elected the ‘state of the Main Street’ has been a recurring complaint from constituents. I really hope this will go some way to improving the overall appearance of our town centre.”
*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.