MP writes to Aberdeenshire Council urging them to scrap booking system at recycling centres
David Duguid MP has written to Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee urging them to scrap the booking system at recycling centres ahead of a decision being made next week.
Despite only one out of six area committees being in support of retaining the booking system following discussions by councillors in recent weeks officers have now put forward two options relating to the future of booking arrangements at recycling facilities which will be discussed at the committee next Thursday, both of which will not see its complete removal.
The first is to implement a hybrid option at Peterhead, Banchory, Stonehaven and Macduff with non-booking days on a Wednesday and Saturday.
All other sites across Aberdeenshire would keep the current booking system.
This was the plan that was originally put to area committees for discussion.
Officers have also suggested a second option to remove the booking system at sites in Banff and Buchan, Buchan and Marr while implementing the hybrid system in Kincardine and Mearns and Formartine.
The full booking system would remain in Garioch.
This would mean that for example, someone living in King Edward would have to book to go to Turriff (Formartine) but not Macduff (Banff and Buchan) and someone in Cruden Bay would have to book for Ellon (Formartine) but not Peterhead (Buchan)
Both options would commence from Monday, November 28 through to July 28, 2023.
In his letter to the committee ahead of the meeting, Banff and Buchan MP David Duguid has urged councillors to take into consideration the “abundant strength of public feeling” and to get rid of the booking system at sites in Aberdeenshire.
He said: “While I welcome some progress being made with the inclusion of the second option, both do not go far enough for residents in my constituency.”
Mr Duguid’s letter says: “I am aware a public consultation was held on this matter but I felt the questions were asked in a way that placed a presumption that respondents were content with the booking system, therefore allowing a somewhat misleading conclusion to be reported.
“Indeed, the conclusion of the consultation is in stark contrast to what I hear.”
The letter continues: “From the communication my office receives, and the constituents I have spoken to on the doorsteps across the constituency, it is clear that an overwhelming majority of residents want a return to pre-covid arrangements.
“I therefore write to ask that the committee take into consideration the abundant strength of public feeling on this matter and consider the removal of the online booking system and ANPR-controlled barriers at recycling centres."
The full agenda item can be found at https://committees.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/committees.aspx?commid=495&meetid=20090 as item 10
At the same meeting the Waste Collection Service is being put in the spotlight as councillors are asked to see if a further more indepth report is required after issues were raised over stock control and financial mismanagement over the use of purchase orders.
The full report can be found at the above link as item 12.
