Battle of the bottle banks
Police probe after village bins moved
IT was supposed to be a simple measure to encourage people in a small coastal village to recycle.
But a row over the placement of bottle banks that has divided a community for almost five years has come to a head after police were called in to find out who moved them overnight.
The recycling banks proved so contentious among the residents of North Kessock that 874 people voted in a council poll costing almost £3,000 this year to decide where they should be placed.
But Highland Council chiefs were furious to discover the bottle banks had been moved half a mile from the Black Isle village’s car park to outside the village hall – and they have called in the police to investigate.
Voters had come down in favour of the car park option by 586 votes to 288 in the ballot on the issue.
Local resident James Bissett said: ‘We thought all this was behind us. But overnight someone appears to have moved the bins to the village hall. The whole thing is ridiculous.’
A Highland Council spokesman said: ‘The bottle banks have been returned this morning to the location agreed by the community but this has wasted council officer time and resource which should be focused on delivering services for the local community.
‘This is unacceptable. The council has therefore reported the matter to the police and we are seeking advice on next steps.’
The bottle banks were previously in North Kessock’s main waterfront car park, but were removed as the pier ticket office underwent refurbishment in 2018 and for the creation of a coastal garden.
Deborah Tuckwell, vice-chairman of North Kessock Village Hall committee, said the bottle banks were moved without its knowledge. She added: ‘We knew nothing about it. It was a shock to us.
‘From our point of view we respect the result of the recent community ballot on the location of the bottle bank and were pleased to see the prompt action of Highland Council.’
John Stott, chairman of the local Knockbain Community Council, said in the aftermath of the poll result: ‘Regardless of how you cast your ballot, you have participated in the democratic process.
‘I would now call on everyone to allow the process to continue.
‘I will work hard to minimise the impact of the bottle bank’s return by ensuring that the screening is tasteful as well as effective.’