Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Kevin Jones explained that the Hope Household Recycling Centre (HRC) site had received approval to remain open at weekends only for the receipt of recycling materials until January 2016.  This was subject to an expression of interest (EOI) from the community stating their intention to take on the operations of the site which was received in August 2015.  The next stage was for the community’s representative to submit an appropriate business case, with information provided by officers.  Although an initial outline business case had been submitted, it was proposed that additional time be given for further development work prior to its consideration.  It was therefore recommended that the planned closure date of the HRC site be delayed by a month.  Significant discussions were continuing between the Waste Strategy team and representatives of the community on the proposed transfer of the facility.

Councillor Attridge supported the proposal for additional time if it enabled the matter to be drawn to a conclusion.

The Chief Executive said that the Council would honour its commitment for the community to take over the operation of the facility and that this was supported by the reported reduction in the Single Environment Grant.

Councillor Chris Bithell spoke about the need to be firm on timescales to achieve the necessary savings in year.

RESOLVED:

That an extension of the existing ‘weekend only’ and ‘recycling only’ arrangement at Hope until 31 January 2016 be approved to allow additional time for the business case to be approved and to allow the local community representative sufficient time to mobilise resources to operate the site from this date.