A COUNCILLOR has been told it's none of his business how the Dalgety Bay Recycling Centre operates. 

David Barratt was left fuming after his suggestions on improvements, following the introduction of a new booking system at the Ridge Way facility, were dismissed.

He posted on Facebook: “And what response have I had?

"It is simply not appropriate for councillors to get involved!

“This stems from the council's belief that by contracting a company (which the council owns) to run the recycling centres, everything to do with their operation is a matter for that company. I don't accept this."

The new booking system for the recycling centre started on July 29 but there have been teething troubles with reports that drivers without a booking have had to reverse back out again onto the busy road. 

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Ironically, the system was introduced in response to health and safety concerns with large volumes of traffic and congestion. The council said there have been three incidents at the site this year which resulted in injury to members of staff and the public.

Cllr Barratt, who represents the Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay ward and is convener of the South and West Fife area committee, told the Press last week he was "up for a fight" if there were any moves to close the centre. 

And this week he suggested some alternative solutions to improve the operation. 

These included: opening the site on Fridays and lunch times, making bookings only required at weekends; implementation of a clearway to more formally prohibit queuing outside; and no right turn or no left turn entering the site.

 

Unhappy with the response, Cllr Barratt has now submitted a motion to demand a report come to the cabinet committee to allow the issue to be discussed more openly.

He said: “The council has a legal duty to provide recycling centres and given that statutory function, I think it's entirely appropriate for councillors to scrutinise its delivery.

“There may be any number of other options to address the challenges identified, including expanding or relocating sites.

“I am not accepting that as a councillor I can't represent my community on this, so I have now submitted a motion to demand a report to come to the cabinet committee to allow this issue to be discussed more openly and transparently."

He added: “While the decision appears to have the support of the Labour administration, Labour is in the minority and I hope challenging this will receive cross-party support.”

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The motion asks the cabinet committee to note the "public concern" about the introduction of the booking system at Dalgety Bay recycling centre - and continued "dissatisfaction" with similar arrangements at Ladybank and Cupar - and asks for a report on "alternative options". 

Cllr Barratt said this should include a review of opening hours, staffing levels, traffic control/flow and site modifications.

Previously, Cllr Jan Wincott, the council's spokesperson for climate change and environment, said: "Following a number of incidents at the Dalgety Bay Recycling Centre, a new advance booking system is being put in place to better manage demand at the recycling centre. 

"This booking system will ensure that there is less congestion, and long queues, for residents attending the site, and it is expected to help further improve recycling rates.

"We thank residents for their patience and co-operation as the new system comes into effect."