Welshpool’s waste recycling centre is under threat of closure as Powys County Council continues to look into cost-cutting and opens a consultation into its future.
Along with recycling centres in Newtown and two other Powys towns, the consultation will look into how the council can save a further £700,000 from April 2017.
At its meeting on Tuesday, the council’s Cabinet gave the go-ahead to carry out a full consultation into the future of the centres.
Residents will be consulted on a number of options including the 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.
But closing the Welshpool centre will only throw fuel on the fire over worries about more fly-tipping around the town.
Cllr John Powell, Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “We are facing unprecedented financial pressures as we look to save £29.8 million up until 2019.
“As part of our balanced three-year financial plan, which was approved by full council earlier this year, a number of savings proposals were put forward. One of the proposed savings is to reduce the amount of household waste and recycling centres in the county.
“The savings we need to make means that the level of service we currently have in place cannot be sustained. We face difficult decisions about their future.
“We will consult with residents on a number of options as we look to make the savings.”
Details of the consultation will be announced shortly.
