Council chief rubbishes Powys bin collection claims

Powys Conservatives began the autumn with an attack on the ruling Lib Dem/Labour administration, claiming that recent “failures in school transport and recycling” have angered residents who want a council tax refund.

The say that the weekly recycling collection is now “almost” a three weekly service in rural areas.

Powys Tory leader, Cllr Aled Davies said: “At times, it barely feels like the council is functioning, the Liberal Democrat/Labour run council needs to get a grip.

“Recycling issues have been problematic since last summer and they are not getting any better.

“This current council inherited a new fleet of collection vehicles when they came to power in May 2022, and instead of continuing to invest in the service they substantially cut that investment at their first budget.”

James Gibson-Watt

He claims that “dedicated officers” are being asked to do the “impossible” by the cabinet.

The group also claim that on the first day of the new school term, “further” concerns have been raised that children have been denied access to school transport.

But Liberal Democrat council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt said the issues that exist were a continuation of those from the previous Independent/Conservative administration.

“I recall similar problems occurring during the previous council period, when Cllr Davies was deputy leader of the council, and Brexit has had a part to play in the recruitment problems.

“The claim that residents are waiting three weeks for recycling collections is also ludicrous.

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“Officers report that the maximum wait any resident has had to suffer is two weeks and one day.

“These problems are long-standing ones in the North of the county, mainly caused by the difficulties Powys council and many other local authorities are experiencing recruiting staff to work in waste and recycling.”

On school transport issues, Cllr Gibson-Watt added: “Powys provides transport for about 5,500 pupils every school day.

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“There are always a few problems at the start of the school year, while new bus drivers, pupils and parents get used to the system.

“I recall pupils being left at the side of the road on a couple of occasions during the previous council when Cllr Davies was the cabinet member responsible for school transport.

“These problems are usually quickly resolved and will be this time.”

Cllr Gibson-Watt apologised to those affected by this issue and added that “we will endeavour” to sort them out as quickly as possible.