Councillors 'discouraged' from discussing recycling centres

Discussions over the looming implementation of a controversial booking system and charges for dumping rubbish at Newtown and other Powys recycling centres were discouraged at a council meeting.

On Thursday, Powys county councillors met to debate next year’s budget which included an 8.9 per cent Council Tax rise.

At the meeting, several councillors wanted to discuss the changes to the recycling centre.

Conservative Cllr Iain McIntosh said: “I’m deeply concerned about the impact of rising waste and recycling fees, changes to trade waste permits and the retendering of contracts for our waste and recycling services.”

Cllr McIntosh said that these extra financial costs to residents as well as taking away cardboard recycling banks “are likely” to have a negative impact on residents.

Cllr McIntosh said: “What is even more concerning is the introduction of the booking system for household waste and recycling centres which has caused frustration for many residents.”

Council chairman, and fellow Conservative Cllr Jonathan Wilkinson jumped in: “to stop him there.”

Cllr Wilkinson said: “This is not what’s in front of us – have you a specific question on the budget?”

Cllr McIntosh pointed out he was speaking about the budget.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “I’ve been told it’s not part of the proposals.”

He allowed Cllr McIntosh to finish his point.

This was to ask the Liberal Democrats to follow the example of their colleagues in Shropshire who had campaigned to scrap a similar scheme at recycling centres there.

A few minutes later Conservative Cllr Adrian Jones also wanted to bring up a question on the booking system changes.

This saw Cllr Wilkinson address the council.

Cllr Wilkinson said: “Can I remind members that we are discussing the forthcoming year’s budget rather than issues from the past.”

Despite this Conservative Cllr Pete Lewington then asked how the recycling charge increases fits in with the objectives of the council’s corporate and strategic equality plan.

Cllr Lewington said: “To me these charges seem to contradict these objectives, we are putting obstacles in the way of all of us who want to do our bit for recycling.”

“I would be very interested to hear how the increases align with the strategy.”

Cabinet member for highways transport and recycling Liberal Democrat Cllr Jackie Charlton said that decisions are continually measured against the strategy and “through our corporate plan.”

The booking system and potential charges have been lurking in the background for a year after the idea was pushed through in the 2024/2025 budget in a bid to save the council £400,000 over two years.

Last month, Powys County Council revealed that they had signed a seven-year deal with Northern Ireland firm, Bryson Recycling to run four of the five recycling centres in the county from April.

Potters Group will continue to run the site in Welshpool.

Earlier this month Powys Independents councillor Joy Jones set up a petition on the change.org website to abolish the booking system and charges.

So far over 2,800 people have signed the petition. 

By Elgan Hearn, Local Deocracy Reporting Service