3,000 sign petition on Powys waste site closures
More than 3,000 people have signed a petition against plans to close a number of recycling centres.
The 3,105-name petition was handed in to Powys County Council, which plans to close the centres in Welshpool and Newtown in a bid to save money.
The council says it is looking to save almost £30 million up until 2019 and one of the proposed savings is to reduce the amount of household waste and recycling centres in the county. Its consultation on the matter ended yesterday and a decision is expected early in 2017.
Councillor John Powell, cabinet member for recycling, said: "We have been consulting on the future of five household waste and recycling centres, which are currently located in Brecon, Llandegley, Newtown, Welshpool and Ystradgynlais.
"We have been consulting on a number of options including closure of up to two sites, reducing the opening days of the sites, and potential charges for some waste such as soil and rubble, plasterboard and other DIY waste.
"As part of our long-term plans, we have set aside capital investment for securing council-owned waste facilities so we can improve bulking facilities for the kerbside recycling material and our house waste and recycling sites across the county.
"No decisions have been taken over the future of the household waste and recycling centres and the consultation findings will be considered by cabinet in the new Year."
Lib Dem Richard Church said:
"Our research has shown that if these closures go ahead then Powys will have the worst provision of recycling centres of any rural council in Wales."
