At a meeting on 3 November councillors were to discuss new opening hours, which were originally approved in August.
The council had been planning reduced opening hours at sites from 1 January 2017. A charge for the disposal of ‘DIY’ waste at its HWRCs was introduced on 1 October 2016 as part of a plan to save £98 million from council spending (see letsrecycle.com story).
Now Hampshire has said that recent comments from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have caused confusion, meaning that “savings plans, including charges, may now need to be reconsidered.”
As a result councillors will consider whether “to allow further work to be carried out on establishing a sustainable financial model for the Household Waste Recycling Centre service”.
DIY charge
A number of local authorities have previously voiced their frustration over uncertainty surrounding policy on charging for DIY household waste, with DCLG having issued comments last month that DIY waste generated by householders should be disposed of without a charge (see letsrecycle.com story).
Councillor Rob Humby, the council’s executive member for environment, said: “The Government compels us to reduce running costs, but at the same time seems to want to micro-manage particular details of how we provide the service. In view of this uncertainty, I am considering delaying introducing any further changes.”
Uncertainty
Cllr Humby added: “We know the county council’s HWRC service is efficient, well-used by residents and the most cost effective way to collect waste from Hampshire’s households. All the sites have an admirable recycling rate and Hampshire overall has an enviable record in the amount of waste diverted from landfill.
“We have left no stone unturned in finding ways to keep the HWRC service open as much as possible to residents while finding financial savings required by severe reductions in government funding. We have negotiated a new contract, and opened up the HWRCs for small businesses to use for their trade waste for the first time, on a cost recovery basis. These are early days, but I am encouraged by the take up of this new service which is helping to meet the running costs of the HWRCs.”
He added: “So far, in line with residents’ priority, we’ve managed to avoid closing any of Hampshire’s 24 HWRC sites, and made financial savings by other means. But, until we get some clarity from Government ministers, we find ourselves in the perplexing position of potentially having to look again at our plans. In the meantime, it seems sensible to hold off bringing in any further changes.”
Legislation
Approached for comment, DCLG reiterated that legislation was passed in March 2015 prohibiting councils from charging residents for the use of HWRCs either at the point of entry, exit or disposal..
A DCLG spokesman said: “We’re determined to boost recycling and that’s why we’ve brought in legislation to stop councils charging residents for household waste. Guidance is clear that should include any household waste from DIY.”
Hampshire’s HWRCs are currently operated by Veolia.
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