Shropshire Star

U-turn on cards over times for recycling in Welshpool and Newtown

A u-turn is set to be made over controversial changes to recycling centres in Powys that led to a public backlash and increased fly tipping.

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In January Powys County Council proposed to close two of the five recycling centres in the county to make urgent savings in the region of £700,000.

That proposal prompted anger from across Montgomeryshire, and led to the council reducing services from seven to three days a week in April.

However fly-tipping continued to be reported, and despite repeated calls from councillors to scrap the three-day opening in favour of longer hours, the council’s cabinet at the time would not move.

Now a new approach seems to have resulted in an apparent U-turn by the new cabinet following a review of the services.

Next week the cabinet will consider findings from an urgent review on the impact of opening for just three days a week, and the effect impact certain vehicle restrictions have had.

The cabinet will consider a recommendation to open the centres in Welshpool and Newtown, along with three other centres in Brecon and Radnorshire for five days a week, and to introduce a permit scheme for residents to use commercial-type vehicles and trailers for their own household waste.

Councillor Phyl Davies, cabinet member for waste and property, said: “I called for this very urgent review of the impact of the changes that were introduced at the county’s household waste and recycling centres. We are committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling rates but the changes that were introduced three months ago sent out mixed messages.

“They also attracted considerable comments from residents and the county’s elected representatives.

“I am recommending to cabinet that the opening days of all the centres are increased to five days a week including weekends and that we introduce a permit scheme for residents to use commercial-type vehicles and trailers for their own household waste.

“If approved, these latest changes will come into effect this September. The cabinet will need to consider how to fund these changes if they are approved.”

but we are committed to delivering changes for our residents and tacking the issues that cause the most concern.”

Currently all Newtown is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, with Welshpool open Monday, Friday and Saturday.

Prior to May’s local elections, Welshpool Town Council who were strongly against the current opening hours, asked all prospective councillors if they would vote for a return to a seven day use of the centres, with the majority saying they would.

Despite the cabinet recommendation looking like they might go through, Councillor Mayor Stephen Kaye believes councillors haven’t stuck to their word.

He said: “We were against the original plans, and asked the prospective councillors to go with a mandate and when they got in got for seven days, and they said they would vote for it.

“This news is a u turn, but they should have gone for seven days a week.

“When this has all happened and gone through we will be publishing the names of the councillors who said they would vote for seven days a week and those who voted for five.”

Newtown County Councillor Joy Jones welcomed the news, adding: “I am pleased it is being looked into as this has really affected my residents in recent months.

“It is so important they have access to these services, because it is a front line services they they deserve.”