Officials say communities will be consulted on Marchbanks plans

Council officials have promised to consult local communities on the closure of Marchbanks Recycling Centre.

The move came despite a review which stated there was no need to reopen the centre. However, opposition councillors were unhappy that the review had not asked for the views of residents.

Labour leader Kevin Keenan asked the SNP administration if it had “leant” on officers to ensure the review came back in favour of an April closure.

Council leader Ken Guild retorted: “I do not lean on officers, I work with officers.”

Environment convener Ken Laing confirmed that he had committed to community consultation in the review but he added: “The consultation is part of a broader review of waste collection and recycling strategy.

“Unfortunately that process has been delayed and therefore it was not possible to do that in the timescale of that particular report.”

Mr Keenan claimed that there was enough council income to keep Marchbanks open.

But Mr Guild said: “At the moment we’re making savings of £264,000 2013/14 and £231,000 for a full financial year. I think you would be hard pressed to find savings of that size elsewhere.”