The local authority, which is one of the seven councils forming the county-wide Partnership, has called for an ‘urgent response’ on the issue, which is currently being consulted on across Dorset.
The Waste Partnership has this month asked residents for views on a number of cost saving measures across its 11 HWRCs. These include closing one of the sites permanently, charging for entry at one or more of the locations, closing all of the HWRCs for up to three days per week, charging for the disposal of non-household materials or removal of a subsidy that the DWP pays neighbouring councils for Dorset residents to use their HWRCs.
Despite the ongoing consultation, East Dorset has publicly stated its opposition to imposing a charge on residents.
And, in light of plans put forward by the Department for Communities and Local Government on Friday (January 23) aimed at banning ‘backdoor’ charges at HWRCs, the council has called for an urgent rethink of the Dorset proposals.
Opposition
Councillor Mike Dyer, the council’s lead member for the environment, said: “We at East Dorset District Council have consistently opposed charges being introduced for residents taking household waste to any HRC.
“We agree with the government that HRC charges will inconvenience residents, lead to an increase in fly tipping and the burning of wastes and discourage recycling. We will be opposing any proposal to charge our residents for using any HRC in our area or in any neighbouring authority.”
According to DCLG, charges for using HWRCs will inconvenience residents and are likely to lead to an increase in flytipping and backyard burning of waste.
Under proposals outlined in the consultation last week, which could come into effect from March 2015, DCLG intends to prevent local authorities charging any entry or exit fee for using a ‘discretionary HWRC’ service, as well as any fee relating to the quantity of household waste and recycling that is deposited (see letsrecycle.com story).
East Dorset has backed these proposals, and has called for an extension to prevent councils from charging residents from outside of their local authority area from using HWRCs.
DCLG’s consultation is due to end on February 18, five days after Dorset is set to receive the feedback from its residents on the proposals for changes to HWRCs.
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