Money Saving Plans For Dorset's Waste Service

25 November 2014, 17:21 | Updated: 25 November 2014, 17:23

Dorset residents are being asked for their views on possible money-saving changes to the county's household recycling centres.

The Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) provides 11 HRCs for residents to recycle a range of household materials that cannot be put in their bins.

In response to continuing financial pressures on the DWP and its seven partner councils, the partnership is looking at a range of options to make its HRC service more cost-effective.

Residents are being asked to say how they might be affected by the following options:

  •  Closing one or more HRCs. (Potential savings up to £100,000 a year per site)
  •  Charging for entry at one or more HRCs instead of closing them. (Potential savings £65,000 a year per site)
  •  Closing all HRCs for two or three weekdays. (Potential savings up to £300,000 a year)
  •  Charging residents to dispose of non-household materials, such as DIY waste and tyres. (Potential savings £250,000 a year)
  •  Charging Dorset residents to use their HRCs in neighbouring areas, which the DWP currently subsidises. (Potential savings £70,000 a year)


The consultation is open until midnight on Friday 13 February 2015.

Residents can read the consultation information and complete an online questionnaire at www.dorsetforyou.com/hrc.

Those unable to go online can pick up a questionnaire at the main borough, district and county council offices, all HRCs and libraries in Dorset.

Cllr Anthony Alford, Chair of the DWP Joint Committee, said:

"The DWP needs to recognise the major reductions in funding for our partner councils and do what we can to help them meet their savings targets. We need to look at everything we do and ensure we provide an efficient and effective service.

"We know that residents value our HRCs and are keen to hear how these possible changes might affect people before making any decisions.  It is important we understand the aspects of the service that are most valued by people when deciding what the future service will look like."

Feedback from the consultation will be considered by the DWP Joint Committee - which consists of two councillors from each of the seven partner councils - before any decisions are made on which options to pursue.