Plan to shut recycling centre dropped after U-turn

Plans to shut a recycling centre to save £60,000 have been dropped after critics complained it could lead to more fly-tipping.

Docking Recycling Centre had been earmarked to close next year as part of a raft of cuts and savings proposed by Norfolk County Council's Reform UK leadership.

But at a meeting where councillors agreed to pursue other measures to save £32m, the closure was dropped after cabinet members voted for an amendment.

The council is continuing with proposals to reduce hazardous waste events to save £200,000, which critics warn will make disposal of items like paint harder and could lead to them being "dumped" illegally.

Kay Mason Billig, leader of the Conservative group at County Hall, said: "That risks creating precisely the wrong incentive: make responsible disposal harder and some waste may end up fly-tipped, leaving Norfolk's district councils, and ultimately the same taxpayers, to pick up the bill."

A reason for the sudden U-turn, which comes about a week after the closure of Docking recycling centre was announced, was not given at the meeting.

But Pat Gould, the council's cabinet member for countryside, coast and culture, said further consultation would be needed when he proposed the amendment.

After the meeting, Rob Colwell, Liberal Democrat councillor for Gaywood, who was critical of the plans, said the U-turn "shows what community pressure can do" after he urged people to write to Reform councillors in opposition of the plan.

But he warned the proposal had likely "not gone away".

While the closure of Docking recycling centre is no longer being proposed, Morningthorpe recycling centre will shut at the end of this month as NCC has agreed not to renew its lease, saving the authority £95,000.

Other measures, which will be put out to consultation, include reducing the number of routes that are gritted by 5%, reducing verge grass cutting and weed killing treatment - and cutting spending on highway maintenance by 5%.

Together, these highways proposals would save £1.1m.

Reducing contributions towards school transport for over-16s is also planned to save £369,000.

A wider programme of savings through other proposals like restructuring, changes to contracts and early intervention schemes, will also aim to save nearly £30m this year.

Justine Thomas, cabinet member for budget responsibility, said "significant work" had been undertaken to identify savings and efficiencies and the council "continues to face pressures and uncertainties".

The budget plans remain a proposal at this time and will undergo a review process before any final decision is made in February next year.

A consultation will also be launched over potential plans to increase council tax by 3% and 5%.

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