Lead Member – Councillor Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport

Lead Officer – Gavin Waite

RESOLVED:

3.1 That all five household recycling sites remain open, but the operational hours are reduced through the closure of all the sites for at least one day a week (Wednesday /Thursday) to contribute towards the required saving target and this to be reviewed over the next six months.
3.2 That a booking system is implemented at all the sites, through an online system and open to all Shropshire residents with the additional option of agree procedures and costs with neighbouring authorities for their residents who live close to the Shropshire border to potentially use the sites in the future.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Change, Environment and Transport introduced the report which provided the context for the recommendations to keep all five Household Waste Recycling Centres open but reducing their operational hours by closing them one day a week and introducing a booking system which would help reduce queues at peak times and improve efficiency. 

The Leader thanked the public for the huge response to the consultation which had shown a clear preference for reduction of operational hours rather than closure of any sites.  She also thanked officers in the Waste Team who had worked extremely hard to find a solution which would avoid any permanent closures. 

The Portfolio Holder went on to address questions and concerns raised around:   fly-tipping, if centre hours were reduced from 7 days a week to six;  statistics around current useage;  the logistics of the booking system and access to it particularly for those who did not have internet access; the need for waste reduction initiatives;  dealing with cross boundary waste and the choice of day for each centre to close on. 

It was confirmed that those without access to the internet would be able to access the booking system via telephone.  The booking system would also help control the amount of waste coming into centres from outside of Shropshire.    Members were also informed that work was underway on a Waste Minimisation Strategy and this would be presented to full council in September.   In terms of concerns around fly tipping, the council would monitor the situation and take appropriate enforcement actions if necessary. 

RESOLVED:

3.1 That all five household recycling sites remain open, but the operational hours are reduced through the closure of all the sites for at least one day a week (Wednesday /Thursday) to contribute towards the required saving target and this to be reviewed over the next six months.

3.2 That a booking system is implemented at all the sites, through an online system and open to all Shropshire residents with the additional option of agree procedures and costs with neighbouring authorities for their residents who live close to the Shropshire border to potentially use the sites in the future.