Geoff Silver, Head of Environmental Services, commented on Salisbury District Council’s overall environmental policy. Salisbury District Council has a target of 31% recycling by 2010 and decisions are being taken at present on the best methods to achieve these targets. The methods used will be a mixture of enhanced kerb-side collection and improved recycling centres in villages varying from location to location depending on the characteristics of each.

On the question of fly tipping Geoff Silver informed the parishes that the Council is working with the police and the Environment Agency to target hotspots. The Council is relying on local people to inform SDC of where there are problems so it can be tackled.

Tisbury Parish Council expressed a fear that the £10 charge for bulky waste collection will lead to a large increase in fly-tipping. Geoff Silver stated that amongst other authorities who had introduced a charge none of them noticed any increase in fly-tipping. There is also the hope that the collection service will become more reliable as the money raised will be put towards the cost of a new crew and vehicle for collections which will hopefully reduce the collection time from 28 days to 10 days with a definite date for collections being allocated. It was confirmed that the new policy including the charge would be subject to a review at a later date.

There is some concern over the impending reduction or removal of the skip grant. Geoff Silver commented that some skip grants would still be available. However, he has to reduce the 2005/2006 budget from £26,000 to £16,000 so clearly cuts will have to be made. At this stage it is still too early to know exactly where they will occur but all parishes will be given advance notice in writing of the changes. Contact Geoff Silver on 01722 434334