Castletown Town Commissioners has unanimously rejected a proposal from the Southern Civic Amenity Site (SCAS) Board.
The proposal sought to introduce a rolling weekly rota for local authorities with external staff to collect fly tipped material, with costs for call outs and disposal covered by SCAS.
The commissioners say they believe the town is sufficiently resourced to manage routine matters within its own boundaries and that responsibility for addressing fly tipping should remain with the relevant local authorities.
Chairman Beth Cannan said: “In December 2023, this Board expressed concerns and disappointment over the lack of transparency from the SCAS Board regarding any efforts to test the market for alternative solutions concerning its administration.
Disappointed
Mrs Cannan added: “We have also been consistently disappointed by the inadequate flow of information regarding SCAS operations and decision-making back to this Board.
“In light of the ongoing challenges at the Northern Civic Amenity Site, we believe it is time for SCAS to focus on serving the community that funds it rather than prioritising its own administrative considerations and seeking to expand operations beyond its core site.”
The Commissioners have urged the SCAS to adopt a more community focused approach, ensuring that policies and procedures align with the best interests of those who rely on its services.
A statement added: “We also reaffirm the concerns raised with the Southern MHKs in 2024 regarding SCAS’s decision to prioritise services for commercial customers—who have multiple alternative disposal options—over residential ratepayers in the south, as demonstrated by the closure of the reuse area.
“We believe the operation and function of the site will be a key topic of discussion in the upcoming election.”
The Board of Castletown Town Commissioners acknowledges that WEEE charges must be paid, but maintains that a funding model which minimises point of use charges for residential ratepayers would be preferable.
This approach would eliminate additional gate fees on listed items and reduce unexpected financial burdens, particularly on lower income residents.
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