Agenda item
Motion F - The impact of the new restrictions imposed at the Household Waste and Recycling Centres in Oxfordshire on the residents of West Oxfordshire, proposed by Councillor Roger Faulkner, seconded by Councillor Sarah Veasey.
For eleven consecutive years, under a variety of political leaderships, Oxfordshire County Council was the top performing County Council Waste Disposal Authority. In the County Council's own Satisfaction Ratings of Services Survey in 2025 it showed that 72% of residents were satisfied with the Household Waste and Recycling Centres, with only 16% being dissatisfied. This success reflects both the hard work of staff and the responsible behaviour of Oxfordshire residents.
Despite this positive record, the County Council has introduced new rules for the recycling centres including a mandatory booking system and the requirement to provide proof of address on arrival.
This Council notes that:
1. These rules place additional bureaucratic barriers for residents wishing to access the recycling centres.
2. Reduced access to recycling centres risks diverting waste into District Council collection services and to an increase in fly-tipping , both of which place additional practical and financial burdens on the District Council.
3. These changes risk undermining both Oxfordshire's high recycling rates in recent years and the public's satisfaction with waste and recycling services.
4. This Council therefore resolves to request that the Executive Member for the Environment writes to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet asking them to reconsider these restrictions, assess their impact on District waste and recycling services and work with all local authorities to ensure that waste and recycling centre policies continue to provide an accessible and effective service for the residents of Oxfordshire.
Minutes:
This motion was swapped with Motion B on the request of the Leader of the Conservative Group. As they were both Conservative motions, the Chair and the meeting agreed to this.
Councillor Faulkner introduced the motion, which was read out as follows;
“For eleven consecutive years, under a variety of political leaderships, Oxfordshire County Council was the top performing County Council Waste Disposal Authority. In the County Council's own Satisfaction Ratings of Services Survey in 2025 it showed that 72% of residents were satisfied with the Household Waste and Recycling Centres, with only 16% being dissatisfied. This success reflects both the hard work of staff and the responsible behaviour of Oxfordshire residents.
Despite this positive record, the County Council has introduced new rules for the recycling centres including a mandatory booking system and the requirement to provide proof of address on arrival.
This Council notes that:
1. These rules place additional bureaucratic barriers for residents wishing to access the recycling centres.
2. Reduced access to recycling centres risks diverting waste into District Council collection services and to an increase in fly-tipping , both of which place additional practical and financial burdens on the District Council.
3. These changes risk undermining both Oxfordshire's high recycling rates in recent years and the public's satisfaction with waste and recycling services.
4. This Council therefore resolves to request that the Executive Member for the Environment writes to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet asking them to reconsider these restrictions, assess their impact on District waste and recycling services and work with all local authorities to ensure that waste and recycling centre policies continue to provide an accessible and effective service for the residents of Oxfordshire.”
The Motion was seconded by Councillor Sarah Veasey, who stated that the restrictions were onerous on residents and confusing. The restrictions should be reconsidered by the County Council.
The Motion was debated as follows;
- Some members stated that the motion provided anecdotal evidence and that there was no evidence that booking systems increased fly tipping incidents.
- That the slots were easily bookable online although it was accepted that the extra step was an annoyance, and also potentially prevented those with no internet access from using the tip.
- The booking system may exacerbate hoarding disorders as it added an additional barrier to disposing of waste.
- There were concerns that the booking system would exacerbate fly tipping.
Councillor Steve Cosier proposed amending the motion, removing the fourth resolution, and replacing it with “The Council therefore resolves that the Executive Member for the Environment writes to the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet and asking them to carry out an evidence-based review after six months, covering access, bookings, staff resilience, recycling, worker safety, fly tipping and district collections”. Councillor Cosier explained that taking any action after only a few months of the changes being in place felt premature, and the amendment sought to alleviate this.
Councillor Graham seconded this.
Councillor Liam Walker proposed changing the amendment to ask the County Council Cabinet to reconsider the changes after six months and in the meantime consider the changes. As this was not accepted by the proposer, the original amendment as proposed by Councillor Cosier was voted on.
Councillor Dan Levy, a West Oxfordshire District Councillor as well as the Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation stated that he had no issue with the amendment and that the Cabinet would look upon it favourably, as they would likely look to review the changes after a period anyway.
The amendment was voted on as follows
For 29, Against 14, Abstentions 0.
Councillor Faulkner summed up, challenging the statements that there had been no increase in fly-tipping or restrictions on visits by some members. He provided anecdotes of frustrations that residents in his ward had raised to him. While noting that the amendment had been accepted and would therefore be supported as the substantive motion, he expressed hope that referring the matter to the County Council would highlight the concern, anxiety and worry felt by many residents and prompt a full reconsideration of the scheme.
37 for, 4 against, 1 abstentions