Scottish Liberal Democrat Councillors Jonny Tepp, Tay Bridgehead, and James Calder, Dunfermline South,  are concerned that the recent decision to stop the delivery of free food waste bags to save £120,000 was based on a flawed process. They are calling for the decision to be overturned pending a proper consultation process.  Both Councillors had received a number of questions and concerns from residents.   

Cllr Calder said “There are a number of problems with this decision as far as I can see but the biggest problem is the lack of public consultation enabling these concerns to be voiced and responded to. As far as we are aware, these savings were not part of approved Fife Council budget savings and the decision has been taken by one of the Council’s arms length external organisations without any engagement with councillors.”

Cllr Tepp said “To base a decision affecting all of our households on a survey without sharing the outcomes with Cllrs and residents before taking a decision is wrong, Constituents are asking me when the survey was carried out, who was asked, and whether the results are reliable.  They say that they use the bags and many won’t find it easy to get to recycling centres to pick up bags.”

The responsible service manager confirmed that there had been no public consultation on the proposal.  

Cllr Calder said that he was worried about the impact on households with disability or mobility issues in his constituency.  Cllr Tepp added that his constituents in rural locations wanted to know how far they would be expected to travel to recycling centres to get their supplies – and why the changes were being made when the current arrangements worked for 75% of households. He felt that the change was madness if it meant that people were less inclined to recycle their food waste as a result. 

The Council has indicated that supplies might be made available more widely and options for this were being explored.  Householders with disability or mobility issues preventing them from visiting a recycling centre would be able to phone a helpline and have bags dispatched he added.  Food bags would continue to be available for purchase at Leisure Centres and ONFife libraries for £1.30 per roll.