Special meeting calls on council to change petition rule

A special meeting called by Tory councillors in a bid to force a rethink over controversial waste collection changes was being due to be held yesterday (Tuesday).

As the Observer went to press, the Tory opposition councillors were hoping to change rules so a 5600-signature Change.org petition could be considered.

They were pushing for an amendment to the official ‘scheme of delegation’calling for petitions to be heard which are related to decisions of council made within the previous six months. They also want to see any Change.org petition with more than 1000 signatures allowed to be considered by members.

They say the changes would then make it possible for the petition seeking a rethink on the decision taken on June 30 to cut grey and blue bin collections to monthly and impose new charges for garden waste collections to be heard.

SNP and Labour councillors pushed through the changes, due to start next year, while the Tories and the Green and independent councillors voted against them.

Prior to yesterday’s meeting Tory group leader Councillor Neil Benny said:“all we are seeking is that the SNP administration support allowing the petition to be heard.

“This is the biggest reaction since their proposals to close the Smith Museum provoked an outcry. These cuts and charges are unnecessary and unwanted and have been done without consultation. The people deserve to be heard and the council, and it’s administration, has a responsibility to listen.”

The administration, however, have accused the Tories of playing politics.

Council leader SNP councillor Scott Farmer said recently:

“Suffice to say we won’t be entertaining this latest attempt to distract public attention from their complete failure to propose any alternatives. The Tories know full well that playing procedural games will not succeed in overturning a democratically taken decision that’s only just been made.”

And depute council leader Labour councillor Danny Gibson said:“anyone will be able to see this political grandstanding for what it is.”