On 20 February 2024, East Lothian Council passed its 2024-25 budget which will result in the ongoing closure of Macmerry Recycling Centre.
Macmerry Recycling Centre served residents of Macmerry, Haddington and surrounding villages including Gifford, Pencaitland, East Saltoun, West Saltoun and Longniddry until it was temporarily closed in October 2023.
Since its closure, residents have raised concerns about increased fly-tipping and diversion of traffic through Tranent High Street.
I am calling for a reversal of the 2024-25 Council budget to retain this vital service at a time where East Lothian's population is growing as a result of house-building.
An alternative budget presented by East Lothian Conservative Councillors would have allowed for significant savings to be made to the Council’s budget through the closure of bureaucratic Area Partnerships, reduced managers at East Lothian Council headquarters, savings made by opposing the roll-out of town centre parking charges as well as abandoning the £109 million Musselburgh Flood Protection scheme and pressing for a fairer funding settlement for East Lothian by retaining the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities’ funding floor to keep £2.7 million of funding meant for East Lothian.
This alternative budget would have allowed for a £1.2 million investment into the county’s education services and result in £6.5million less borrowing, while ensuring the protection of frontline services such as reversing Labour’s plan to permanently close Macmerry Recycling Centre, protecting libraries from closure and preventing the withdrawal of police from the streets.
If, like me, you support the reopening of Macmerry Recycling Centre, please add your support to my petition below:
