The booking system at Lincolnshire County Council’s tips, including the one in Spalding, looks set to end.
Lincolnshire County Council is recommending that councillors vote to stop the measure at its Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC), a report to its Environment and Economy Scrutiny Committee which meets next week.
In total 24,558 tonnes of waste has been collected across the county while the tips have been open through the booking system compared with 71,450 tonnes over the same period previously.
Contrary to what officers had previously said the report states that the system “is near its maximum capacity” and that “there are many anecdotal reports that some members of the public cannot book a slot and the number of slots cannot be increased”.
The report adds that the number of slots can’t be increased in the current system and that “there is also an issue with the number of ‘no-shows’ at HWRCs after bookings have been made.”
“This currently runs at around 12-15 per cent and represents an inefficient burden on the service when the greater demand of frustrated residents could be satisfied,” the report continues.
“In terms of timescale for when the booking system could be stopped, it is proposed that the system be changed once operational details are agreed with the site contractors and social distancing restrictions are lifted.”
The report also mentions that following queues previously at Spalding, bringing in a booking system at busy periods could be considered.
“The system would still need staff management on a weekend,” the report says of this. “There would also be inevitable confusion for the public causing conflict to arise on site.
“This combined approach is not therefore recommended but could be considered in future if issues repeatedly arise at particular waste centres.”
As part of the proposals, those looking to use a van or trailer though would still have to ask for a permit and be given a set number to be used throughout the year.
Coun Angela Newton welcomed the move.
She said: “Independent candidates campaigned on that issue and pressed for many months for the appointment system to be withdrawn.
“The vast majority of residents of Spalding and other towns and villages do say they noticed fly-tipping being worse because residents could not dispose of rubbish just when they wanted.
“We raised the need for residents to take their rubbish as and when it suited the them.
“Some residents have little or no storage facilities and being able to just drop in to the amenity site and leave their rubbish, will, we believe, help reduce fly tipping.”
