A LOCAL council has paid out more than £12,000 to a private contractor for the removal of tyres from two loyalist bonfires.
Mid Ulster District Council says 1,200 tyres were taken from ‘eleventh night’ bonfires in Moneymore in Co Derry and Cookstown in Co Tyrone last month.
When VAT was added the bill totalled £12,096 for one day's work.
Loyalist sources have claimed that while some tyres were removed others remained on the pyres.
It has been suggested that the potentially toxic material was taken away in a skip lorry by men wearing white protective clothing and masks.
A council spokeswoman last night said that removal took place at both sites on July 10.
Read More
- Derry bonfire builders urged not to include tyres and offensive material
- Bonfires, abortion and same-sex marriage all to be debated at Mid Ulster council
They were later brought to a council owned facility at Bellaghy in Co Derry where it is understood the Northern Ireland Environment Agency took charge of them.
It has now emerged that the contract for the removal of the tyres did not go out to public tender.
A council spokeswoman last night said it is “not required to publicly tender for goods or services below £30,000 and this contractor was drawn from a framework of companies which have the capacity, and are prepared, to undertake the work”.
Invoice documents seen by the Irish News reveal that the contractors charged £9 for every tyre taken from both sites.
Read More
Derry bonfire builders urged not to include tyres and offensive material
Bonfires, abortion and same-sex marriage all to be debated at Mid Ulster council
The spokeswoman added that “the removal of the tyres was arranged following consultation with the police and bonfire builders, who did not wish to have tyres on the fires”.
Aontú councillor Denise Mullen voiced concern about the cost of the operation.
“Ratepayers’ money should not be spent in this way,” she said.
Ms Mullen highlighted the pressure local businesses are currently under.
“There are small businesses and shops closing left right and centre,” she said.
“Two shops have closed this week in the centre of Dungannon.
“Businesses are being crippled with rates.
“I am not happy, never mind being a councillor, as a ratepayer I am not happy.”
Ms Mullen questioned why outside contractors were brought in.
“The council could have got its own employees in, which was cheaper and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency could have collected them.
A spokeswoman for the council said: “In addressing any issues which may arise with bonfires on council property, we have always made it clear that the safety of our staff will always be paramount and based on assessment of risk, contractors are employed to undertake this work rather than our own employees.
“In terms of cost, the council is the landowner and therefore bears the cost of the removal of tyres, as well as of any clean-up and remedial works.
“Clearly we would prefer to spend ratepayers’ money more productively.”
Last year Mid Ulster District Council revealed plans to introduce a licensing scheme for bonfires located on land it controls.
The new policy includes “conditions of land use, which set out the minimum requirements for safe, well-managed events, spanning risk assessments, event management plans, insurances and good relations issues".
The new policy came into force in March this year and council chiefs have appointed consultants to engage with bonfire builders.
