Missed black bin collections lead Council complaint list in Mid and East Antrim
- Michelle Weir (Local Democracy Reporter)
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
The highest number of complaints to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council during the first three months of the financial year were related to missed black bin collections.
A report presented to a meeting of the council’s Corporate, Resources, Policy and Governance Committee at The Braid, Ballymena, on Monday revealed there were 26 such complaints between 1 April and 30 June 2025, leading to issues being raised with bin lorry crews.
The committee report stated: “It is typical that front-line services receive the most complaints due to their much higher rate of interactive service delivery.”
In total, 40 complaints were made to the council during the quarter. Three related to the Amphitheatre leisure centre in Carrickfergus, mostly concerning the pool area, where new signage is now being put in place.
Three complaints were also recorded in relation to parks operations, including cemeteries, with grave maintenance and damage highlighted to the local authority. Two general issues were raised about parks, and one complaint concerned Larne Leisure Centre.
Larne Leisure Centre at Tower Road was set alight while people were still inside the building on Wednesday, 11 June, leading to its temporary closure. A phased return of services is now under way.
Cleanliness at Seven Towers Leisure Centre in Ballymena was also raised with the council, although compliments were received about its staff.
Overall, seven compliments were received about the council’s waste services, including assistance with recycling and bulky waste collections.
The report noted that overall complaints to the council have decreased by one-fifth compared with the previous quarter. Officers are encouraged to resolve issues at the front line, with only five per cent escalated to stage two for resolution.
The report concluded: “Responding effectively to complaints is necessary for council to demonstrate its commitment to continual improvement in the delivery of its services and facilities.”