Town councillors set to demand waste centre action

Town councillors down the road in Newtown are set to demand that Powys County Council drop planned charges for residents to use the waste and recycling centres.

A motion will be put to Newtown Town Council's full council urging it to write to the council stressing the "negative impact on our community".

The motion is being proposed by Cllr Paul Harris and seconded by Cllr Rupert Taylor.

It states: "Following concerns raised by residents, we, Newtown Town Council, believe these measures will have a negative impact on our community."

It comes as two Powys county councillors are set to push for a motion to have the council drop the plans on Monday.

The town's mayor, Cllr Peter Lewington, has also raised concerns and questioned the idea, highlighting how a similar system in Shropshire has been dropped due to an increase in fly tipping.

The motion also states:

"Concerns Raised: Financial Burden on Residents: The introduction of charges for recycling certain materials disproportionately affects lower-income households, potentially discouraging responsible waste disposal. Inconvenience of Booking System: The requirement to pre-book visits adds unnecessary barriers, particularly for those who may need urgent access, such as elderly residents or those with irregular work schedules. Potential for Increased Fly-Tipping: The additional costs and inconvenience may lead to a rise in illegal waste dumping, which would create environmental hazards, increase clean-up costs for local authorities, and negatively impact the appearance of our community. Reduced Recycling Rates: Restrictions and financial barriers may discourage recycling efforts, contradicting broader sustainability goals."

It adds: "We respectfully urge the county council to undertake a full review of the charges and booking system with the hoped for resolutions: a)The removal of charges, ensuring recycling remains accessible to all b)The scrapping of the booking system to allow greater flexibility for residents c)Alternative solutions to tackle waste management without deterring responsible disposal practices. "We believe that by addressing these concerns, we can ensure our community remains clean, environmentally conscious, and supportive of responsible waste disposal."