Angus councillors from across the political spectrum have vowed to fight plans which would see recycling centres close in five Angus towns.
As budget pressures continue to bite, the latest round of cuts would see the centres in Brechin, Kirriemuir, Forfar, Carnoustie and Monifieth shut.
The Arbroath and Montrose recycling centres would be improved and a new centre built between Forfar andKirriemuir. The overall number would drop from seven to three.
The council is also proposing to stop collecting food waste from 3,500 people in rural areas and to introduce a £25 a year charge to cover the costs ofcollecting garden waste.
Councillors were aware that a review was under way, but the bombshell report which will be discussed onTuesday has taken several opposition councillors by surprise.
Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd said: “Not one discussion with officers has occurred and giving electedcouncillors four days to sort out this mess is totally unacceptable. There is enough rubbish strewn all over Angus as it is and this bizarre recommendation will only increase fly-tipping.
“I hope this nonsensical report is removed before Tuesday to allow better consultation with elected councillors.”
Fellow Carnoustie councillor Bill Bowles said he was “absolutely appalled”.
He said: “I will be arguing the case as wholeheartedly as I can to overturn this proposal as it has no foundation and has been slipped through the back door.
“I would understand it if the recycling centre in Carnoustie was rarely used but it is always busy.”
Monifieth councillor CraigFotheringham said he learned about the plans through emails from residents.
“As a democratically elected councillor I am disappointed and concerned at the officers of Angus Council, who have not discussed the proposals with me prior to the report being issued.
“We are asking residents to recycle as much as they can, yet if the centre is closed, people in Monifieth travel a 22-mile round trip to Arbroath todispose of their waste. This is madness.”
Monifieth councillor MargaretThomson said: “We are trying toencourage recycling and at the same time making it more difficult to dispose. This is another example of how the SNP Government’s cuts are affecting local communities.”
Brechin councillor Bob Myles said: “This would remove another service from Brechin and I fear that if thisservice is taken away then it will lead to more fly-tipping.”
Meanwhile, group Our Carnoustie has started an online petition on change.org which asks the centres remain open.