Cae Post could be binned

 

The news was revealed at Cae Post’s annual meeting when Susan Morley stunned attendees by revealing that its days could be numbered.

 

“Cae Post has made remarkable progress in improving recycling collection in Montgomeryshire in recent years and I don’t understand what is to be gained by shutting us down,” she warned: “It’s not cost savings because the Council knows that like for like it has no reason to believe we would be any more expensive. And it’s certainly not the quality of our collection service which has become hugely popular with over 5,500 householders.”

 

Mrs Morley is also concerned that the charitable arm of the company which provides jobs for people with difficult circumstances will also be doomed.

 

“The most damaging consequence will be for the work we do in getting people back into jobs, whether it is people with disability, substance misuse, ex-offenders, or young men and women who simply can’t find work because they lack skills and experience. We’ve had huge success doing this and it all stands to be lost.”

 

Montgomeryshire AM Russell George, who attended the meeting to present awards to local ‘Recycling Heroes’ said the news was “concerning”.

 

“This news is very concerning as the people of Montgomeryshire value the service and I would certainly not support any move that resulted in the closure of Cae Post,” he said.

 

“Powys County Council played a major role in getting Cae Post established in the former Council depot in Trewern some years ago and has helped Cae Post to grow to the very successful social enterprise it is today. I know how much Cae Post has contributed to the achievement of the County’s recycling targets and I have seen for myself how popular it is with householders.

 

“Just as important, Cae Post does a job that no one else locally has really tackled - getting people who desperately need help into real jobs.”

 

But Powys County Council says it is surprised and disappointed at the claims.

It said that earlier this year it announced a new and improved kerbside recycling scheme but delayed implementation in north Powys while it discussed its proposals with the Cae Post.

Cllr Ken Harris, Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, said: “I am surprised and disappointed with the timing and tone of this announcement as we are in active discussions with Cae Post as to how they can support us in our ambitions.

“We are implementing changes to meet tough Welsh Government recycling targets and I would have liked the opportunity, as Cabinet Member for Waste and Recycling, to speak at the AGM to explain what we are trying to do and clarify any issues that were raised at the meeting.

“We have retained the services of Cae Post for several years in the face of severe financial pressures and when the Welsh Government stopped their grant funding, we continued to support them financially.

“No final decisions have been made at this stage and we will continue to hold discussions with them to see how we can operate in the future.”