Households across North Lanarkshire will get an additional 'lift' from 1 April this year, following approval of revisions to the special uplift charging structure at a meeting of North Lanarkshire Council's Community Services Committee today (Wednesday 7 February).

The revisions – which include two additional free special uplifts each year per household – were agreed following a review of the special uplift service, which introduced charges for second and subsequent uplifts in May last year.

The changes mean that each household will receive three free special uplifts per year, with a £15 charge for each subsequent request. The standing charge of £40 for the uplift of commercial waste will continue – items to be charged under this category will be subject to inspection and approval by a council officer.

And that's not the only good news for residents. The six month review also highlighted a significant improvement in the delivery of the special uplift service.

Convener of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Jim Logue, said: "Our aim in introducing the charging structure was always to turn around the level of service that was being provided and that has clearly been achieved. And now, following our own review and in consultation with residents via the North Lanarkshire Tenants and Residents Association, we are looking at how we can build on that achievement.

"We have already seen a significant improvement over the last few months, with the majority of uplifts carried out within one week rather than the four to five weeks that customers were previously experiencing. At the same time, we have seen an increase in the volume of materials being requested from each household – with average weights more than doubling on some occasions, which suggests that residents are making the best use possible of the service.

"Residents have also displayed their own commitment to responsible waste disposal and recycling by taking more and more of their waste to our waste disposal and recycling centres, which have seen an increase in monthly average tonnages from 1,040 tonnes in 2005/06 to 2,475 tonnes per month in 2006/07 – an increase of an incredible 140 per cent.

"This truly is testament to the commitment of our residents, who will be able to make even better use of the special uplift service from 1 April thanks to the two free additional uplifts."

This view was echoed by North Lanarkshire Tenants and Residents Association, who recently met with Councillor Logue; Paul Jukes, Director of Community Services; and Kenneth Wilson, Head of Land Services to discuss the charging policy.

Julie McAnulty, Secretary of the North Lanarkshire Tenants and Residents Special Uplifts Steering Group, said: "We are very pleased that the council has listened to the steering group and taken on board the comments we have made. We are very happy with the enhancement to the current service agreed today and would like to thank the council for increasing the number of free uplifts to three.

"Obviously, in an ideal world there would be no charge, but we are very pleased with the outcome of our discussions with North Lanarkshire Council."

"While these changes will further enhance the service available", added Councillor Logue, "special uplifts are not the only way to get rid of unwanted bulky items as our residents are clearly well aware. They can continue to take items to our waste disposal and recycling centres, which have benefited from more than £3 million investment over the last two years.

"This investment is already making a big difference and has produced some incredible results. For example, in Wardpark in Cumbernauld our recycling rates have increased from around 25% to an amazing 100% in just three months and this is a trend I hope to see repeated across North Lanarkshire.

"We are committed to keeping North Lanarkshire streetsmart, and will continue to review our special uplifts service to ensure it does just that."

North Lanarkshire Council operates six waste disposal and recycling centres – Auchinlea in Cleland, Dalmacoulter in Airdrie, Reema Road in Bellshill, Wardpark in Cumbernauld, Stobcross Street in Coatbridge and Netherton in Wishaw. Each civic amenity site or recycling centre is open between 8am and 8pm, seven days a week.

To request a special uplift, contact the council's customer contact centre on 01698 403110.

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