Recycling business plan is “busted”
Councillor David Jones of Guilsfield (pictured) is one of the most experienced councillors sitting in Llandrindod Wells and was re-elected last week.
He contacted us after a report from the town council listed Powys representatives that they had been in touch with to gauge their views on the current recycling debacle which has seen the centres’ opening hours reduced to just three days a week.
Cllr Jones has pointed out his position and while not stating that he supports a reversal of the current decision, he believes a whole new approach needs to be taken.
He told us: “I am described as not supporting seven-day opening. I enclose the piece I sent to Welshpool Town Council when asked to give my views which I believe not only shows my support for increased opening but also how it might be achieved.”
In the letter to the council, shared with MyWelshpool, he said:
“The more I look at the Waste and Recycling service I realise that the business plan is busted.”
“There is not enough money in the system to provide the service people want yet we provide an expensive service that is no longer readily available.
“The problem is that the existing contractor owns the very valuable HWRC sites in Montgomeryshire. I am sure the value of the sites is reflected in the tender price. It is impossible for a new entrant to come into this business without a capital outlay running into millions.
“A new entrant would need all the planning permissions and environmental permissions to start up. I don’t think any business would put in a tender or any council accept one on this basis.
“What I will be doing in the next council is seeking a site either already in council ownership or to purchase.
“I would want Powys to take advantage of historically low interest rates to buy and fit out a site and then seek a contractor to run it.
“The new site would need to accessible in all senses of the word and it should have better segregation of people, staff and vehicles to improve site safety.
“In this way the capital cost of the site would remain with Powys but the contractor would run it. Exactly the same as the Flash or the Day Centre. Under my plan your council might wish to tender to run the HWRC in Welshpool.
“I would hope that if this plan or one like it was in place the recycling centres would return to seven day working.”
In reply Robert Robinson, Town Council clerk, said: “If he is on board then great.”
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