Skip site provision in Angus remains in a state of flux after a partial U-turn on
previously approved plans removed the axe from above the Monifieth centre for the next 12 months.
In a move led by coalition administration leader Bob Myles following a summer review of proposals approved under the previous SNP-run council, the coastal burgh will hang on to its dump while a full review of all Angus provision is completed within the context of the authority’s residual waste disposal strategy.
Reduced operating hours, which were part of the proposals originally approved in May last year, will however come into place at Arbroath, Brechin, Carnoustie and Montrose at the end of October, and then in February at Forfar, Kirriemuir and Monifieth.
There will also be an immediate ban on pedestrian access to skip sites and people tipping wheelie bins into skips after those issues were identified as a major health and safety concern in the latest review.
No firm decision has been taken on the future of Forfar and Kirriemuir
provision, although a public meeting earlier this week heard plans for a Padanaram ‘super-site’ are now off the table.
Opposition councillors reacted furiously to the out-of-the-blue proposal from Mr Myles at the packed Forfar meeting on Thursday, where Monifieth Community Council chairwoman Sheena Cochrane made an impassioned 11th hour plea for retention of the burgh site.
A member/officer group (MOG) was set up earlier this summer to conduct the review of last year’s decision to implement changes across Angus.
It included well-attended public meetings in Monifieth and Kirriemuir in recent days.
“One thing we did identify on the MOG was the lack of consultation with the various communities,” said Mr Myles.
“It is important we maximise our recycling opportunities right across the council.
“Of course I have concerns re funding, but it is important we make the right decisions here, not the quick decisions.”
He rejected a suggestion by Monifieth and Sidlaw councillor Sheila Hands to add in a request for officials to look at identifying land for a joint south Angus site which could be built with money from the sale of Carnoustie and Monifieth facilities, saying ring-fencing capital receipts would set “a dangerous precedent”.
“It is important we make the right decisions here. We are trying to keep communities with us,” added Mr Myles.
Monifieth councillor Craig Fotheringham said: “For far too long Monifieth has been the forgotten burgh, and in my opinion, Monifieth and Sidlaw is the forgotten area.
“I cannot, and will not, agree to the closure of any Angus recycling centre.”
The opposition leader, Forfar councillor Lynne Devine, slammed the handling of the review as “utterly appalling.”
“We are looking at something that is going to cost £250,000, and it is a
nonsense for people to say we can take it from other services,” she said.
“This was an opportunity to save money for the whole of Angus and the whole thing is ridiculous.”
Montrose councillor Bill Duff said: “Three centres for Angus was the view of officers.
“There was a lot of debate and the compromise was keeping Carnoustie and Brechin open.
“There’s no pot of gold in a recycling centre. This is irresponsible financially.”