Council celebrates ‘successful start’ for booking-only tips system while opposition petition signed by hundreds

The change was introduced across all six of West Northamptonshire’s tips at the start of November in an attempt to reduce queues, ease pressure on surrounding roads, and ensure a smoother experience for residents.

This means vehicles are no longer able to visit without booking a slot ahead of time, and this applies to the following sites: Sixfields, Ecton Lane, Daventry, Towcester and Brixworth Household Recycling Centres, and Farthinghoe Recycling and Reuse Centre.

Only those who live in West Northamptonshire can access the tips, and bookings can be made 24/7 via the WNC website. For those unable to access the website, bookings can be made by calling WNC on 0300 126 7000 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

Bookings for the 15-minute slots can be made up to two weeks in advance, or on the day at least 30 minutes before arrival.

Following the announcement of this new system in September, an overwhelming number of residents issued concerns over the potential for fly tipping – with only a handful of commenters on the Chronicle & Echo’s Facebook who were optimistic about the change.

‘It is really encouraging to see the new booking system is working effectively’

WNC has revealed that West Northamptonshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) have received more than 21,000 visits in the first few weeks of the new system, and say it has cut queues.

The local authority also claims that the new scheme is helping to improve access for West Northamptonshire residents, by ensuring that traders and residents from outside the area are charged appropriately to meet the costs of disposing of their waste.

With appointments available and the ability to book as little as 30 minutes before arrival, two-thirds of visits so far have taken place on the same day the appointment was made.

A WNC press release reads: “Since its introduction, the council has received predominantly positive feedback from users commenting how easy the booking system is to use, the availability of slots on the same day and how it has helped to reduce waiting times into the HWRC, as well as acknowledging helpful staff on hand.”

Councillor Nigel Stansfield, cabinet member for environment, recycling and waste at WNC, said: “It is really encouraging to see the new booking system is working effectively by reducing queues for our residents and making it easier to access our centres. We’ve been really pleased by the positive feedback directly from residents using the sites.

“I understand the new arrangements may take a bit of time for some people to get used to, but we know West Northants residents are great at adapting to changes and we appreciate and thank them for their support.

“I hope those who have used the HWRCs since these changes can see the benefits to this new system, especially as we come up to a historically busy time in-between the Christmas and New Year period.”

‘I’m not sure this petition is anything more than a load of rubbish itself’

As reported by local democracy reporter Nadia Lincoln in the past week, WNC’s leader Mark Arnull branded a petition raising concerns about the impact of the new system as “a load of rubbish”.

The Liberal Democrat group brought forward the HWRC petition to full council last Thursday, November 27. They claimed there was a “glaring lack of consultation” on the changes, and highlighted residents’ worries about the potential negative impact on fly tipping and overflowing bins at kerbside collections.

Councillor Stewart Tolley presented the petition, which received nearly 700 signatures, and shared his belief that it would have been “more appropriate” to trial booking systems rather than the blanket approach that was taken.

Speaking ahead of the petition being presented, council leader Mark Arnull explained the decision was negotiated under the previous Conservative administration in its waste contract renewal.

He went on to tell the chamber that he was not sure if the petition was “anything more than a load of rubbish itself”, to which Cllr Tolley said his remarks were “an insult” to all who had signed the petition.

West Northants Lib Dems say the petition will now be considered by the council, and that they will share the formal response once it has been received.