Archived decisions

Contact: Clare Saunders, ext 5835 email: clare. [email protected]

1. Summary

1.1 This report sets out the current policy for winter opening hours at Hampshire's household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and the basis for the recommendation to implement an interim change to the closing times this year ahead of a fuller evaluation and proposal for any permanent change next year.

2. Background

2.1 The current policy for the County Council's HWRCs is for closure at 4:30 pm during the winter. In practice this is with effect from 1 October through to 31 March; this policy was last revised in 1998.

2.2 The original background and case for early closure of sites during the winter is set out in a report to the former Public Protection Committee in September 1998.

2.3 This interim recommendation to reduce opening hours by half an hour, to 4:00 pm with effect from 14 November 2005, is being made on the basis of Health and Safety guidance and a supporting joint recommendation from the County Council's sub contractors.

3. Health and Safety

3.1 Health and Safety considerations are essentially focused on safe use of the site by the general public and the operators having regard to available natural light.

3.2 Recently published guidance from the Health and Safety Executive `Operating Civic Amenity Sites Safely' states:

"Consider changing operational hours in line with seasonal natural light levels" and in relation to slips and trips.

Impaired vision can increase the risks. Work should only be carried out in daylight, or in adequately-illuminated areas in twilight or dark conditions."

3.3 This guidance provides a specific solution for the management of potential risks to users and operators of Hampshire's HWRCs by reducing winter opening hours in line with available natural light.

3.4 Health and Safety issues at HWRCs are an important consideration. Other permanent options, including provision of artificial lighting, have been considered in the past and rejected on the basis of environmental impact, deliverability and cost.

4. Options for Winter Closure

4.1 Any permanent options for alternative winter opening hours will require evaluation alongside the proposed interim measures. Options currently proposed by the County Council's sub contractors for consideration are as follows:

(i) a full change to winter closure from October to March from 4:30 pm to 4:00 pm; or

(ii) for a two stage programme with closure in October and March at 4:30 pm and November, December, January and February at 4:00 pm.

4.2 It is proposed that these and any appropriate alternatives be evaluated during the 2005/06 winter period with increased monitoring of light levels, site usage and operational issues and that a full proposal for any permanent change be considered in the spring.

5. Impact Assessments

5.1 In terms of impact, actual data for numbers of users between 4.00 pm and 4.30 pm is not available. It is therefore not possible to accurately state the level of disruption in service, however in this instance reduction of service is seen as preferable to not complying with the Health and Safety Executive's recent guidance.

Recommendation

That in line with current Health and Safety recommendations the winter opening time for Hampshire's household waste recycling centres be changed from 4:30 pm to 4:00 pm with effect from 14 November 2005 until 31 March 2006, and that a further report setting out a recommendation for any permanent change to opening hours be considered in the spring following a fuller evaluation of winter closure options.

699Rpt/CS