Dear Consultation team / Cabinet member
I wish to respond to the Powys County Councils consultation relating to Household Recycling Centres.
I have been inundated by constituents in relation to the consultation and I have great concerns to all 5 proposal options as all offer a reduction in the service.
Should this provision be reduced , it will provide unacceptable difficulties to many residents who have adhered so well to the council’s ever increasing demands associated with recycling their household waste.
I understand that a reduction in opening hours appears to be the better of the options available however I have visited the recycling centres in Montgomeryshire and I have witnessed how popular the centres are, with queues often forming. Therefore I am concerned that reduced opening times or closure of some of the centres will result in too much pressure on the proposed reduced service.
These proposals undermine the consultation that closed Machynlleth Recycling Centre which was based on residents having to travel to Newtown which is now itself being considered for closure. Residents in Machynlleth and the west of Montgomeryshire will be left with the unacceptable option of a 60-mile round trip to Newtown, or an 80-mile round trip to Welshpool to use the recycling services provided by Powys County Council.
I have serious concern that the potential closure of the site at either Newtown or Welshpool will result in an increase in fly tipping which may mitigate savings suggested in the consultation in any clearing up and provide a heavy cost to the local environment.
It will undoubtable reduce recycling rates and the authorities ability to meet it recycling targets which may lead to a financial implications to the authority.
A full impact assessment should also be been undertaken prior to any decision.
Kind regards
Russell George AM