Category: Commissioners

Waste Management: A Strategic Imperative in Patrick

I’ve been reviewing the numbers—particularly the waste-related expenditure, which didn’t sit right. Based on unaudited accounts and last year’s ledger, waste costs actually represent 67.01% of our total expenditure. That’s a striking figure.

We did incur some open costs last year, which may have skewed the accounts slightly. But the core issue remains: nearly two-thirds of our spending is going toward waste management.

If we’re serious about running an efficient enterprise, we need to dedicate a similar proportion of our time and strategic focus to defining what waste management means for Patrick—and how we can be a happy, effective provider of that service.

There’s also talk of taking out loans to cover unexpected contingency costs. Before moving forward, we need to ask: are we comfortable saddling future generations with debt due to poor management decisions today?

Here’s a breakdown of the figures:

  • Refuse collection: £79,842
  • WCAS: £40,685
  • Total waste cost: £120,527
  • Total expenditure: £179,842
  • Waste cost as % of total: 67.01%

We also know they’re running 10% over budget. Given their reluctance to share monthly figures, it’s reasonable to discount that by 20% for planning purposes.

And let’s not forget: the increased refuse collection will take time to show in the system. In my view, it’s almost certainly going to be higher—especially with the site not fully operational.

Thanks for your attention to this. I hope it helps inform the next steps.

—Leo

Commissioner’s Update – Six-Month Review

As I approach six months in post, I must raise a concern that speaks to the heart of our responsibilities: I have not received a single set of minutes from any of the committees of which Patrick is a member. This absence of documentation makes it difficult to hold fellow commissioners or boards to account, and undermines the principles of transparency and good governance to which we are all committed.

Regarding the Western Amenity site, I must also note:

I do not have confidence in the current management or the financial deficit associated with the site going forward, and believe it should be returned to the Department of Infrastructure. We are doing a great disservice to the people of the west.

Today, I have formally requested the following standing orders:

– Empty Properties and Rates

– Review of Past Maladministration Reports

I trust these reports will be made available without delay, as their contents are likely to be instructive. Should this matter remain unresolved, we may need to consider referring it to the Information Commissioner.

Thank you for your attention.