Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council praised for incinerator efforts

Nov 27 2009 by Alison Lowson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Dear Editor, – As one of the many who endured the Shore Road incinerator meeting at the Dewars Centre, I want to congratulate the members of Bridgend, Gannochy and Kinnoull Community Council for their efforts on behalf of the people of Perth.

Their arguments were well presented, factual and at all times well informed. They had clearly taken advice from experts in the field and were even able to guide statutory bodies like SEPA as to the correct processes to be followed.

Contrast this with the performance of some of the councillors and officials present who seemed unable at times to grasp the seriousness of the situation – two were even rebuked by a member of the public for the childish mockery of one of their colleagues.

At the end of a long afternoon, the result was probably the best that could have been hoped for. However, it now falls to a meeting of the full council to determine whether revocation is appropriate.

Councillors were reminded that they are custodians of our city. It is now time for them to stand up and be counted – the people of Perth and surrounding areas demand no less.

We are watching, we will judge you on how you proceed from here and on how you ensure we never get into a mess like this again.

The level of incompetence demonstrated by council officers is astounding. While I accept that the current incumbents are not responsible for the original mistakes, they appear to have done little to rectify them since taking office.

Someone needs to accept responsibility and be held accountable. In the absence of any other obvious candidate, perhaps Chief Executive Bernadette Malone will step out of the shadows and end her uncanny silence on this and other matters.

PKC is in desperate need of a top-to-bottom review to address public concerns over the competence of the council and its accountability to the local community.

This will require leadership – and if Ms Malone is not able to take the lead it is time for her to step aside.

To Grundon – you are entitled to be aggrieved by the way your application has been handled and in due course you will no doubt be fairly compensated. Be clear, however, that no matter the financial implications, the people of Perth will never accept this incinerator on this site. You have taken advantage of an incompetent council, negligent planning officials and a discredited regulator in SEPA. But the game is now finally up – resign yourselves to the fact and move on.

Kenny Gall,

Kinnoull.