ARGYLL AND Bute Council’s environmental warden posts are under scrutiny, while street sweeping posts across the area could also come under threat.
The five wardens are responsible for duties including fly- tipping investigation and enforcement, dog fouling enforcement, pest control and the removal of abandoned vehicles.
But a report has listed a savings option to remove the posts, which could save the council £178,000 in 2026/27 and £214,000 in subsequent years.
The street sweeping budget is also proposed to be cut by almost 20 per cent, which would result in five full-time posts being removed.
The savings options are listed in a report to go to the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, November 26. However, no decisions will be made on whether to implement any until the council sets its budget in February.
On the proposal involving the wardens, the document said: “The proposal involves the removal of the amenity service environmental wardens. This will require the downscaling or stopping of our environmental enforcement activity, or the reconfiguration of enforcement activity within roads and infrastructure services, e.g. parking enforcement staff getting more involved in environmental enforcement, transfer of some enforcement activity to regulatory services.
“This will involve the deletion of five posts at grade seven, providing a saving of £178,000 in 2026/27 (part year), rising to £214,000 from 2027/28 (full year).
“The activities currently carried out by the wardens are as follows: removal of abandoned vehicles; fly tipping investigation and enforcement ; commercial waste enforcement; dog fouling enforcement and education; LEAMS (local environmental audit and management system) inspections; management of the assisted pull out service; pest control; liaison with traveller encampments.”
In relation to the street sweeper roles, it added: “The operational budget for street sweeping across Argyll and Bute is £895,000.
“This proposal would see the budget reduced by £147,00 in 2026/27 (part year), rising to £176,000 from 2027/28 (full year), through reduction of five full-time equivalent [posts] across Cowal, Bute, Helensburgh and Lomond, Lorn, Mid Argyll.”
