TIPS TO REOPEN
Recycling centres in Wishaw and Shotts will open from the start of next month.
Local authorities from across Scotland have been reporting that fly-tipping had increased after the centres were closed due to the
COVID-19 outbreak.
And it was confirmed that North Lanarkshire will reopen its dumps from June 1 after meeting with local government body COSLA.
A statement from the council said: “We’re almost ready to open our household recycling centres on June 1 as soon as the Scottish Government advises it is safe to do so.
“All councils have agreed to get on track for re-opening and we’re just finalising arrangements so we’re ready to go.
“There may be some restrictions, be prepared to wait and keeping to physical distancing guidelines is a given.
“But protecting visitors, as well as our staff and minimising risk are central to our plans.”
Last week, the Wishaw Press reported that more than 2,300 people have signed a petition demanding that the council reopens its recycling centres.
Meanwhile, the council’s decision to reintroduce special bulk uplifts, at an increased cost of £35, has been questioned by the North Lanarkshire Conservative Group.
The service resumed on Thursday and to adhere to social distancing protocols, the council will uplift bags of waste or items that can be carried by one person.
In addition, the council will only uplift up to 10 items or 20 bags of rubbish.
Tory Group leader Meghan Gallacher believes that this increase in price, for a reduced service, will contribute to the surge in fly-tipping.
She said: “This is an ill thought out decision.
“It makes no sense for the council to reintroduce a reduced service for a higher price.
“The decision to increase the cost of special bulk uplifts was taken at the budget meeting in February and
I understand that the council must implement the decisions taken by elected members.
“However, options must be made available to residents of North Lanarkshire, so they are not held to ransom over a £35 charge.”
Shotts MP Neil Gray and MSP Alex Neil are pleased special uplift collections are being resumed but are also far from happy at the fee.
Mr Gray said: “It is a great decision by North Lanarkshire to restart special uplifts but to increase the cost from a pre-lockdown level of £25 to £35 is unreasonable to say the least.”
Mr Neil added: “This move smacks of profiteering by the council, something I sincerely hope is not the case.”
Council leader Jim Logue said: “I’m disappointed that after many weeks of working together in the interests of our residents, we now have councillors indulging in political games.”