Ah, here it is then, personally I think, while slightly irking, it’s not the end of the world as we know it, and I’m the most random and sporadic procrastinator I know (it’s taken me a week to get this published!)
Though, the thought of having to book at timeslot at the Recycling Centre has caused social media hysteria. They’re going bonkers about on there. Many suggesting it’s an attack on their civil liberties, others say that no one can possibly live under such draconian punishments, some say the only thing you should have to book is doctors, dentists, and prostitutes, and many suggesting moving to Tel Aviv! So the trusty ol’ Gazelle & Herod splashed it as front page news, and I can’t resist a ranting bandwagon. Off we go with, what I believe is, a storm in a teacup compared with other challenges we must face.
Other county councils have had this ruling since the pandemic, some fining recyclers if they drop so much as an odd sock in the plastics bin. But we should note, this is only a trial, and is the proposal of Wiltshire Council; the town and parish councils have no say, and surprisingly I hear that few were invited to. Leader of the Devizes Guardians, Jonathan Hunter told me, “one of the key concerns is that the proposal was announced before meaningful engagement with town and parish councils, or local communities had taken place. The decision had been made several months earlier, yet local councils first became aware of it through a public press release.”
Therefore it’s Guardian team assemble time, as they welcome a constructive meeting with Ian Thorn, the leader of Wiltshire Council to discuss the proposal. The group presented a delegation pack reflecting concerns raised by residents across Devizes and the surrounding villages. While recognising the Council’s desire to improve services, Devizes Guardians believes any significant change should be supported by robust evidence before permanent decisions are made.
A central recommendation is that Wiltshire Council strengthens its pilot by introducing a control group. Rather than operating every pilot site under a booking system, a number of comparable Household Recycling Centres should continue under the current arrangements. This would enable meaningful comparisons of factors including fly tipping, recycling rates, customer satisfaction, waiting times, operational efficiency and costs.
Devizes Guardians believes this would add greater scientific rigour, credibility and integrity to the pilot process, ensuring any future decision is based on measurable evidence rather than assumption. The group says its campaign is not about resisting change, but about helping Wiltshire Council deliver the best possible outcome for residents through an evidence based, collaborative approach.
Jonathan said, “we’re not arguing against change. We’re arguing for the strongest possible evidence before change becomes permanent. A well designed control group is a straightforward way of giving the pilot greater scientific rigour and ensuring the final decision is based on measurable outcomes rather than assumption.”
“If, through smart reflection, the pilot can be strengthened along the way, that should be seen as good governance. It adds credibility, integrity and public confidence to the whole process.”
Devizes Mayor, Cllr Vanessa Turner added, “residents simply want confidence that any changes have been properly tested and that their everyday experience has been taken into account before permanent decisions are made.”
Cllr Paul Tweedle also spoke about the proposal, “a pilot only delivers its full value if you have something meaningful to compare it against. A control group would provide clearer evidence and ultimately support better decision making.”
And Cllr Graham Martin added, “our role is to represent the views of the community. Residents have told us they value the flexibility and accessibility of the current service and want their experience to be part of the decision making process. We hope this meeting marks the beginning of a more collaborative approach between Wiltshire Council, town councils and local residents whenever significant service changes are proposed.”
Aware MP Brian Matthew has also been vocal on the subject, sending a letter to the council, concerned about a possible increase in flytipping. I’m not so certain about this. I mean, flytippers will do their dirty work whether there’s a timeslot system or not, don’t they? “I think the greater risk is not necessarily increased fly tipping,” Jonathan expressed, “but that some people may simply put recyclable materials into their domestic black bins instead.”
Me? I urge you to think of the positives; you have the advantage of deflecting any nagging to “get that rubbish to the tip” directly onto Wiltshire Council, as in the example I gift to you and urge you to plagiarise, “I would, my darling, but I can’t get a timeslot! Don’t blame me, blame Ian Thorn!”
And other than Ian being the one in the doghouse, therein lies the truth, eh? Until the system is in operation, it’s impossible to know how much of an inconvenience, (or excuse in this case!) it will be. If I book a slot and there’s not one until 2032, that’s an issue I will drag out until the end of the world, but for now, let’s assume it’s going to be a minor irritation.
In another part of the world, parents are writing the name and contact details onto their children’s backs with a marker pen, so their bodies can be identified, but you’re losing your mind about the first world problem of booking a timeslot to dump your grass-cuttings? Really?
devizine.com 