Doubts over the "state" of a council's bin collection fleet have caused concerns over its risk management for ratepayers.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council's (LCCC) audit committee was presented with a report last week showing vehicle conditions as the lowest environmental services risk.
However, the chamber heard that a potential multi-million pound new fleet strategy would be before elected reps in the new year.
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Downshire West Alliance Alderman, Owen Gawith said: "I am looking at the risk report and I can see waste management being at an inherent risk of 9, but then reduced to a residual risk of 6. Having been going around to view the state of our fleet, how can we say the risk factor has reduced in this way?"
A similar fleet replacement strategy at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council saw costs for ratepayers rising to £7.4m in 2022.
LCCC'S risk reports states the local authority should: "Provide waste collection and disposal services within a legislative context.
"Failure to deliver these services in part or in full, or failure to meet targets set out in legislation would place the council in a default position regarding statutory obligations, which brings a legal, financial and reputational risk."
A council officer responded: "We are currently drawing up our fleet strategy with ambitions to replace any vehicles of a certain age.
"We are not seeing any serious failures, all of the fleet is in action. As they age they become more troublesome and will be brought into our garages for maintenance.
"It is part of our control to maintain the fleet with mechanics ensuring quality. A draft format of the fleet strategy should be before members in January/ February."
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