Seven of nine recycling centres could go

Council officers have recommended shutting down seven of the region’s nine recycling centres.

The move, which would close down tips at Aberfeldy, Auchterarder, Bankfoot, Blairgowrie, Crieff, Kinross and Pitlochry, would save more than £410,000 and result in the loss of around 12 jobs.

It is proposed the sites are replaced with recycling points and only centres at Inveralmond and Friarton would survive.

However, the scheme already faces resistance from the Tory-led administration.

Councillor Colin Stewart, convener of the environment and infrastructure committee, said: “Perth and Kinross obviously covers a large rural area, and we in the administration simply felt the closure of local recycling centres outside Perth City was an unpalatable option.

“We didn’t want to ask people to face the choice between using basic recycling points or driving to what would be the two remaining centres.”

According to council papers, an option to charge people to use the rubbish tips was also considered, but ruled out after legal advice.

Meanwhile, around £55,000 could be saved from the winter maintenance budget by axing out-of-hours treatment on footpaths.

This would mean pavements, outwith Perth city centre, would not be gritted before school times. Council officers have warned this will lead to a rise in accident rates and complaints.

There are also proposals to increase parking charges by 10% across the region, making an extra £100,000.

Council officials note “charges have not increased since 2012. This provides investment and maintenance funding for car parks.”

Elsewhere in the papers, there are proposals to raise the cost of the already controversial garden waste bin tax.

Councillor Colin Stewart is the convener of the environment and infrastructure committee.