Launch of public consultation on Household Waste Recycling Centres delayed

​15 November 2023

Kent County Council has announced a pause in the consultation on Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

Kent County Council’s Leader, Roger Gough, said: “We are confirming a delay in the launch of our public consultation on how we plan to manage our Household Waste Recycling Centres in the future.

“The budget for 2023/24 agreed by KCC Members in February identified the need to fill the budget shortfall this year from both spending reductions and increased income. These savings are necessary to produce a balanced budget, as the cost of services provided by KCC have risen by more than £200 million.

“The financial pressures on the county council remain severe and we have therefore got to continue to look at making savings from every area of our work.

“However, it has become clear that further conversations are needed and this will require a delay to the consultation timeline.

“All options are still on the table. No timeline for the public consultation launching has yet been confirmed.”

 

Save Richborough Recycling Centre – update on 26/6/23.

Cliffsend Parish Council has been working with others to prevent the closure of the Richborough site by Kent County Council. This campaign is being led by Councillor Dan Friend. Dan’s update on 26/6/23 is: -

 

Collaboration with Kent County Council (KCC)

We have been actively working with KCC members to ensure that retaining Richborough Household Waste & Recycling Centre (HWRC) is included as one of the consultation options. This collaborative effort is crucial in strengthening our case for preserving this vital community resource.

Further Scrutiny

In my role as Conservative Cabinet Member at Dover District Council, where I also serve on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, I have taken the initiative to add the proposed closure of Richborough Waste Recycling Centre to our work schedule. This decision allows members of the committee to engage in an in-depth discussion and pose direct questions to KCC officers regarding the closure. The inclusion of this important topic on our agenda demonstrates our commitment to thoroughly scrutinizing the proposals and advocating for the best interests of our community.

Strong Support Base

We are thrilled to announce that we have gathered an impressive number of supporters in our fight against the closure of Richborough HWRC. With over one thousand Councillors, Residents, and Businesses signed up, we have garnered widespread backing from Town and Parish Councils across South East Kent. Additionally, our campaign has received support from our Three MPs, numerous KCC Members, Our KCC Cabinet Member, and Senior Politicians throughout Kent. This broad support base demonstrates the significance of this issue for our community.
 

Importance of Public Consultation

The upcoming Public Consultation, scheduled to open in mid-July, will be a pivotal moment in our campaign. We urge everyone to participate and voice their opposition to the closure of Richborough HWRC. We will be providing comprehensive guidance through a "Guiding Document" to assist individuals in formulating impactful responses. The mailing list we have established will play a vital role in ensuring that as many people as possible are informed about the consultation and can actively participate.

Support Sessions for Consultation Responses

To further support our community in engaging with the consultation, Harry Sampson and I will be hosting support sessions in Sandwich and Woodnesborough. These sessions will provide laptops and assistance to anyone who requires support in submitting their responses to the consultation, so those without internet access or a device will have their voices heard! It is essential that we maximize our collective impact by encouraging widespread participation. 

We believe that by focusing our efforts and joining together, engaging in the consultation process, and raising awareness, we stand the strongest chance of preserving Richborough HWRC for the benefit of our community. We are grateful for the commitment and support demonstrated thus far, and we encourage you to continue spreading the word and encouraging others to join our cause. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or require further information. Cllr-dan.friend@dover.gov.uk (07723 364042)