According to Hampshire County Council’s own figures, fly-tipping cost the County Council over £650,000 in 2014/15.

So what have the Conservatives done to solve this problem?

The answer is nothing. In fact, you could argue they’ve contributed to it.

The County Council admits that “the majority of fly-tipped waste” is linked to “commercial and industrial operations” and that it is the “most costly [type of fly-tipped waste] to dispose of”.

Therefore the Conservatives know that fly-tipped waste from commercial and industrial operations costs the County Council over £650,000 and yet they pushed through a new system for charging to dispose of commercial and industrial waste at recycling centres. Other changes made by the Conservatives included:

• Later opening times with tips only opening from 11am.
• All Tips closed on Thursdays.
• cross-border charging of £2 per visit for non-Hampshire residents.

This was in in spite of the results of the public consultation showing that less than half (48%) of respondents would be prepared to pay to access a tip.

It is clear, then, that the Conservatives have a pretty woeful record of delivery when it comes to Waste Recycling Centres. Perhaps they have learned their lesson and plan to move forward with a clear strategy in place to protect Hampshire’s environment? Sadly, it doesn’t look to be the case.

A recent report by Hampshire County Council admitted that full-site closures after May 2017 (strangely enough after the elections) would be one way in which Hampshire County Council could look to deal with the further cuts to Hampshire County Council’s budget of £120 million by 2019.

This, as a majority of residents who responded to the consultation pointed out, will likely mean an increase in fly-tipping in the local area. As Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Lymington and Boldre, I will fight against any proposed closure to Efford tip and I will oppose any plans to charge for disposal of household waste at Efford tip.