Small bins rejected
LUTHERMUIR is no nearer getting recycling facilities restored, after officials of Aberdeenshire Council rejected an idea to use small bins and a small lorry which would enable access to the village park.
Councillor George Carr took up the matter with officials, but told Mearns Community Council that the idea had been shot down.
"Lighter bins were rejected because of the expense. They also said small bins would have to be emptied frequently because of the volume of recycling generated in Luthermuir previously.
"The upshot is we did not get anywhere, but I will be working to try to find a site over the summer."
Told by Councillor Carr that it was "policy" that dictated that only communities of over 300 houses got kerbside recycling collections, Luthermuir representative Janette Anderson said the policy should be changed.
Asked by Alan Mowat who was answerable to whom between councillors and officials, Councillor Carr said councillors make the policy and officials interpret it.
Mr Mowat said he saw no difference between Laurencekirk and the other villages of the Mearns the only difference was the 20 minutes driving time it would take a lorry to get round and give the villages a kerbside collection service.
"We should be challenging the way these officials are interpreting the policy."
Councillor Tom Fleming said the problem was finding a site for recycling bins and that the council does not own a postage stamp of land in Luthermuir or Auchenblae.
Chris Rushbridge pointed out that everyone pays the same level of council tax, but some clearly benefit more than others.
Jim Stuart said their aim had to be to improve the quality of life of residents of the Mearns and he urged the four Mearns councillors to go "en masse" and ask for a change in policy.
The community council will write to the director, Dr Christine Gore asking how many settlements in Aberdeenshire do not have recycling facilities.
They will further ask the director whether she agrees a new policy should be put in place if the current policy is not fitting its purpose.
Mrs Anderson also called for the hedge alongside the access to Luthermuir park to be cut. Area manager William Munro has said that it is a private hedge and there is nothing he can do.
Councillor Carr made the point that the access was not an adopted road, but Mrs Anderson asked who tarred the road and put in street lighting if not the council.
Mrs Anderson said: "There is not enough room for a car and a pedestrian to pass each other. That is how bad it is."
Councillor Fleming undertook to find out from Mr Munro if pressure was being put on the householder to cut the hedge.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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