Proposals that will see the removal of general waste facilities at recycling centres in several Angus towns will be challenged at a full meeting of Angus Council today.
Under plans brought forward by the coalition administration, centres at Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose will open seven days a week.
The other facilities in Brechin, Carnoustie, Kirriemuir and Monifieth will open five days per week but only accept materials for recycling, with no mixed or general waste allowed.
The move is being challenged by Carnoustie and District Independent Councillor David Cheape.
He said: “Although I am pleased that the Angus Council administration are supporting the continuity and growth of recycling throughout Angus I will not stand by and see Carnoustie having its general waste service removed from the burgh Yard.
“As such I intend contesting this motion when it is brought to the meeting of full council.
“This is just another cut from our burgh services whilst Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, the areas primarily controlled by councillors from the administration, increase their own services and cut ours.
“In Carnoustie we already recycle all of the classes of recyclable waste they are asking us to, including rubble and soil, so the council’s point that removal of general waste containers will free up space for additional recycling provision is not applicable to Carnoustie.
“In reality, all that will be achieved will be to increase volume of waste taken to Arbroath or to fly tipping.
“Keeping a general waste service in Carnoustie will be largely cost neutral when compared to having to transport it to Arbroath and increase their general waste instead, only for these skips to then virtually pass our door on their way back to the waste plant.
“In addition, no thought has been given to those who do not drive, nor to the expected growth in housing in Carnoustie over the next decade.
“I intend to bring an amendment to council seeking the retention of a general waste service at Carnoustie not only for our own residents but to save the unfortunate people of Monifieth having to make a 24 mile round trip to Arbroath to dump their general waste.”
However, Angus Council supremo David Fairweather rounded on Mr Cheape, saying: “The fact is that under the previous SNP administration proposals, there wouldn’t have been a recycling centre in Carnoustie at all.
“This administration is ensuring that all seven burghs will continue to have recycling centres.
“It has taken a lot of hard work from our officers, working with the administration to make sure that recycling centres stay open, and that the proposals brought forward will work.
“Councillor Cheape should be thanking us, not fighting us.”
