COUNCILLORS are to consider whether – or not – the county council should push ahead with proposals that could see a booking system introduced at the county's recycling centres.

A number of neighbouring councils already ask residents – particularly those with vans – to book a slot before arriving at a recycling centre.

And according to the council's 2025/26 budget, the introduction of a booking system – alongside a reduction in opening hours at four recycling centres – could cut annual costs in Hertfordshire by more than £250k.

But following the county council elections in May, the new Liberal Democrat administration is looking again at the cost-cutting measures – which would need to be subject to public consultation – in line with their manifesto commitment.

At a meeting of the council's environment, transport and growth cabinet panel on Tuesday (June 10), councillors will have the option to recommend that officers push ahead and consult on existing proposals to reduce opening hours and introduce booking system.

Or they could recommend that council officers should come up with "a range of alternative proposals for consideration".

Commenting on the options that will be presented to the panel, Liberal Democrat executive member for environment, transport and growth Cllr Paul Zukowskyj says it is important on be "open and transparent" in making the decision between the options.

And he said that at the meeting elected members would have the opportunity to have their voices heard.

According to the officers' report that will be presented to the cabinet panel, the county's recycling centres are seeing increases in visitor numbers, waste volumes and costs.

There are, it says, "capacity issues" in busy periods, when containers of waste fill more quickly than they can be exchanged for empty ones – leading to the temporary closure of some sites.

And there are, it says, issues related to high staff turn over – with the report pointing to the use of agency staff, reliability and sickness.

As part of the existing cost-cutting proposals – drawn-up by the previous Conservative administration – the four of the county's recycling centres that are currently open seven days a week (Stevenage, Ware, Waterdale and Welwyn Garden City) would open for five.

And that, according to the officers' report, would reduce staffing costs through the relocation of staff and reducing the need for temporary staff.

Meanwhile, a demand management system – requiring residents to book a visit – would, it suggests, manage demand more evenly throughout the day.

However, the proposals would still need to be subject to comprehensive public consultation before any changes could be implemented.

According to the report, the county's 16 recycling centres manage around 85,000 tonnes of waste from approximately two million visits a year.

And the service provides facilities for the recycling, reuse or recovery of 28 different materials.

The council's environment, transport and growth cabinet panel is an advisory panel, rather than a decision-making body.

And as such its recommendations are used to inform decisions that are ultimately taken by the executive member or by the cabinet.