SC23131 – Household Waste Recycling Centre Consultation Analysis and Reporting

Kent County Council (the Council) is required by law to provide a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) service to residents. Kent County Council (the Council) currently operates 19 HWRCs (sometimes known as the ‘tip’) located across the county. These sites receive approximately 1.7 million visits per year, with around 96,000 tonnes of material being managed through the network.

Over the next two years, we need to save a further £2.2 million from the annual cost of the HWRC service. Around £700,000 of savings have been agreed through the delivery of a number of projects at the HWRCs, however Savings of £1.5 million need to be made by reviewing the number and operation of the HWRCs.

The original £2.2 million saving that needs to be made from the HWRC service is just one part of the savings the council needs to deliver overall. In February 2023, KCC Members approved the Council’s planned budget for 2023-24. The budget takes into account a £182 million rise in the cost of services, fuelled by inflation, market conditions and additional demands on council services from an ageing population with increasing complexity of need. Increased funding from the government and council tax provide £124 million. This leaves a shortfall of £58 million over the next financial year, which will need to be found from spending reductions, increased income and some use of reserves (our savings) to balance the budget. Members choose to give priority to our services for vulnerable children and adults although savings are being sought across all areas of the council.

The consultation sets out proposed options regarding the closure of a number of HWRCs. We are asking for views on the proposals, as well as suggestions for alternative ways to meet the £1.5 million agreed saving.

The consultation will run for ten weeks from 1 August to 9 October 2023. The consultation will be hosted on the Council’s engagement platform and feedback will be collated through an online questionnaire. A Word version of the questionnaire will also be available to download or in hard copy on request. An Easy Read summary document and questionnaire will also be available. Consultees will be encouraged to complete the questionnaire to participate in this consultation. However, emails and, letters received during the consultation period will be considered alongside the questionnaire responses.

Kent County Council are seeking an external organisation to provide data entry, analysis and reporting functions for this consultation.

In addition to a final consultation report, an interim summary of responses (including key themes from qualitative questions) will need to be provided. Responses need to be monitored on a weekly basis, flagging any queries, requests for more information or issues to the Council as soon as possible.