Fife Council’s handling of proposed changes to recycling centre access threatens to rubbish the local authority’s reputation, it has been claimed.
The council’s arms length company, Fife Resource Solutions (FRS), developed proposals which would limit trade recycling to three sites in Fife, create a pay-per-load scheme for commercial waste to replace current permits, and introduce a booking system for domestic users with vans or trailers.
That was due to come into force on October 3, but Fife Council leader David Ross confirmed earlier this week the plans have now been put on hold until next year at least following a backlash.
Opposition councillors have criticised the Labour administration for allowing the plans to come forward in the first place and failing to properly brief elected members about their postponement.
Many suggested the first they had heard of the u-turn was in The Courier on Thursday.
Mr Ross apologised for the delay in informing fellow councillors about the rethink, but said stepping in was the right thing to do.
“We absolutely share people’s concerns about the impact of these proposals and I think it was the right thing to do to put a pause on it for at least three months to allow these matters to be addressed more fully,” he said.
SNP councillor Alistair Hunter suggested the whole episode had been damaging.
“It’s kind of like Groundhog Day in here – we roll out a policy and roll it back, flip flopping around,” he said.
“Mr Ross said it was right to put a pause on these plans, but I would challenge that. The right thing to do is get them right in the first place before you roll it out.
“Does Mr Ross feel that the reputation of his administration and this council has been damaged by flip flopping again?”
The council leader replied: “No, I think it has been enhanced because we’re listening to concerns and doing something to address them.”
Councillor Ross Vettraino noted Thornton Community Council had reservations about the plan to limit the deposit of commercial waste to only three facilities – Thornton, St Andrews and Dunfermline.
“The concern that the community council has expressed founded on the fact that there will most certainly be an increase in traffic hauling commercial waste through the village.
“Separately, the community council also expressed concern about the lack of notice of the proposed change and I have made Fife Council aware of that concern as well.”
Mr Vettraino also expressed concern about the proposal for householders to book in advance when they are depositing household waste in a vehicle other than a car.
“The bottom line is that it is important that the council takes meaningful steps to control the situation, while at the same time ensuring that the local community can continue to enjoy being able to deposit unlimited amounts of domestic waste free of charge and I will be doing all that I can to ensure that that is the case.”
