Changes to Hertfordshire's Waste Recycling Centres - Views Sought

Hertfordshire County Council has begun a consultation on changes being suggested for Hertfordshire's 17 household waste recycling centres and want to hear your views.

A new contractor, AmeyCespa, has been appointed to run the centres, sometimes known as 'tips' or 'dumps'.

They have been asked to put forward suggestions to improve efficiency and save money, while still reducing waste, improving rates of reuse and recycling and maintaining a reliable service for residents.

The Conservative Cabinet Member for Waste Management explained: "We recognise that any service change will have an impact on our residents so we want your views on the changes AmeyCespa is suggesting, before making any decisions.

"Over the last four years, we have worked hard to deliver savings totalling £149m while protecting essential frontline services. Due to further reductions in national funding and increasing demand for key services, such as adult social care and children's services, we need to make similar savings over the next four years.

"If agreed, the suggested changes could mean the service saves £6m over the next eight years."

However, the Liberal Democrat group on the County Council opposes the reduction in opening hours and access. They also point out that early morning opening hours are of limited use to most residents. They feel that, from the point of view of Hertfordshire households, 10am to 6 or 7pm would be far more convenient.

The suggested service changes:

• Permanently closing the centres at Hoddesdon and Elstree
• Changing the remaining 15 sites from a seven day service to a five day service, with the introduction of weekday closures
• Changing opening times, with all sites opening from 8am to 4pm all year (except Buntingford, which will retain the existing three hours per day service)

To respond to the consultation Please respond by 3 August 2014.