Here’s a shovel... now grit your own paths, council tells taxpayers

A CASH-STRAPPED council is to give villagers lessons in gritting paths this winter as it cuts back on road-clearing services.

But the initiative has raised fears that communities could be cut off from hospitals and other necessary services if they get snowed in.

Angus Council has halved its fleet of mini gritters in a bid to balance its books. But this means a shovel-wielding ‘army of volunteers’ will be needed to keep pavements clear if the snow starts falling, according to councillors opposed to the idea.

They fear that elderly and disabled people who live in outlying villages and towns will be worst affected by the change.

One local, who asked not to be named, called the plan ‘an absolute disgrace’, adding: ‘The council seems to be cutting back on everything, and all these small places are being told they can’t get their streets cleared, despite paying the same council tax as everyone else.’

The cost-cutting follows an £800,000 council budget overspend last year due to the harsh winter. This prompted the council, which has allocated £2.6million to spend on winter, to seek out local volunteers.

They will be given salt, hi-visibility vests and training to keep paths clear of ice.

The issue was fiercely debated last week and a motion will go back before full council this Thursday.

At last week’s meeting, Richard Moore, Liberal Democrat councillor for Arbroath West and Letham, said: ‘I am very sorry that it has come to this.

‘This will have an impact on the elderly, school children and the disabled.’

Council leader David Fairweather insisted the plans had been part of the council budget agreed by all 28 councillors back in February. But opposition councillors pointed out that the ‘Beast from the East’ storm dumped tons of snow on the country two weeks after the budget was agreed.

Sheila Hands, SNP councillor for Monifieth and Sidlaws, said: ‘This has been a proposal on paper that makes sense for a council that is strapped for cash. But the weather doesn’t understand that.’

It comes as Fife Council is facing criticism for offering residents gloves and plastic bags to clean up their streets.

The Mail told on Friday how the ‘Adopt-a-Street’ campaign asks people to spare ‘a few hours to work in partnership with the council’ – an initiative branded a ‘joke’ by locals.