Andrea Leadsom urged to act over HWRCs conflict

The call for government action comes from councillor Marcus Franks, portfolio holder for communities and public protection at West Berkshire council.

The councillor spoke out in the wake of a ripple-effect of site changes affecting residents in West Berkshire, Hampshire and the ‘re3’ partnership consisting of the local authorities of Bracknell Forest, Wokingham and Reading.

Payment

The changes in the central southern England area started earlier this year with a decision by West Berkshire to end its contribution to re3 because of budget pressures. The payment allowed West Berkshire residents – mainly in the east of the authority area – to use HWRCs within the re3 area.

Consequently re3 has issued permits for residents in the partnership area for use of its HWRCs, or CA sites as these are also known in Bracknell and Reading (see letsrecycle.com story)

Alongside the difficulties between re3 and West Berkshire, Hampshire county council opted not to pay a “voluntary” contribution to West Berkshire. This contribution, said Hampshire, had reached more than £200,000 per annum for its residents who were using West Berkshire’s CA site in Newbury, which takes in waste and recycling, and the Padworth HWRC (in the east of the West Berkshire area) which only handles recyclables.

Following the Hampshire decision, West Berkshire is now in the process of issuing permits so that only its residents can use its two sites from September. There is a particular pressure point in the east of the district because the Padworth site does not accept waste although the council is seeking planning permission for the site to take in waste. This means that residents face a long journey to the Newbury site.

Now, Cllr Franks of West Berkshire has written to Environment Secretary Mrs Leadsom – who was appointed last month by new Prime Minister Theresa May – voicing his concerns that the West Berkshire situation is part of a national issue.

Ridiculous

Referring to the cross boundary issues and permits, the West Berkshire portfolio holder tells Mrs Leadsom that: “The reason I am bringing this to your intention is firstly I still believe it is a ridiculous situation and secondly this will be happening all over England and Wales. As a result of this, it will only be solved if government acts, which is what I am asking you to do. I believe any financial pressures will be evened out across districts and counties.”

Speaking about the letter, Cllr Franks said: “I felt it important that I write and highlight to the government how ridiculous this situation is. District boundaries are important to councils but less so to our residents who simply want to use their nearest waste centre.”

He continued: “We didn’t want to introduce a permit scheme but we were forced to because of decisions made by others and I’m sure this will be happening around the country. I believe the government should act and hope they will give the issues I’ve raised some serious consideration.”

Hampshire

Meanwhile, Hampshire county council emphasised that it is hoping to work “together” with other local authorities on HWRC issues.

Councillor Rob Humby, Hampshire’s executive member for environment and transport, commented: “We’re having constructive conversations with our colleagues in West Berkshire, who, like us and indeed all authorities, are looking for ways to live within their financial means when it comes to dealing effectively with household waste.

“As waste disposal authorities we are working on a long-term, sustainable solution for residents in this area, and looking for a practical way in which residents can continue to use the HWRC site most local to them, without putting an unreasonable additional burden on Hampshire council tax payers.”

Veolia and FCC

HWRCs (or CA sites) are run by Veolia in Hampshire and West Berkshire with FCC Environment the contractor the re3 Partnership.