Community ballot to decide location for North Kessock bottle banks

Highland Councillors on the Communities and Place Committee have decided that a community ballot will be held to determine the final future location for the local authority’s recycling banks in the village of North Kessock.

The location of bottle banks in North Kessock has been the subject of disagreement over a number of years among locals, and Members were informed that the council has received a petition from 50 residents regarding the matter.

A report updated Councillors on the background and current situation regarding the bottle banks and highlighted the Council’s duty under Waste (Scotland) regulations 2012 to provide recycling facilities.

Councillors have agreed that a community ballot will be held to provide a conclusive and democratic way in which to resolve the current situation and to provide community assurance that the final decision expressed as the majority view of the community will be enforced by the Council.  Councillors also agreed that prior to any ballot taking place, mediation would be offered within the community.

Cllr Allan Henderson, Chair of the Council’s Communities and Place Committee said: “The Council is aware of the opposing views in the community and a community ballot will provide a fair and final resolution to the matter.

“It is vital that a line is drawn so that the community and the council can move forward to enable the recycling of as much glass as possible, currently around 16 tonnes a year from North Kessock. Accessibility to recycling facilities is key to encouraging people to recycle more and enable the council to comply with waste regulations.”

A postal ballot will be held by the Council’s Elections Office (proposed for January 2021) and all residents over 16 and on the electoral roll will be entitled to vote who live within the primary school catchment area. The ballot will have a choice of two locations for recycling banks – the Car Park or Ferry Brae.