Scouts floated as way to deal with closing Wiltshire recycling centres

That was a suggestion put forward by Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for waste, Paul Sample, at a meeting last week (January 8) between councillors and managers from Hills Waste Solutions, which run two household recycling centres (HRCs) earmarked for closure.

According to notes of the meeting, published by Hills, Cllr Sample suggested that "a short-term solution, whilst waiting for a new facility to be provided on Council owned land might be more Community Involvement.

"He suggested that perhaps the council (or possibly the parish councils) could provide occasional skips/ bring in extra kerbside collections, or perhaps the Scouts could get involved and collect up residents waste and take it to the nearest HRC."

He later added: "Scouts have also taken waste to recycling centres as part of their fundraising efforts."

The Purton Liaison Committee meeting - between Wiltshire councillors, councillors from Cricklade Town Council, Braydon Parish Council, and senior staff from Hills Waste Solutions - casts some light on the negotiations that took place behind the scenes prior to the closure announcement.

Hills' waste operations director Simon Allen told the meeting that Hills has run the HRCs at Purton and Lower Compton, near Calne, for 25 years.

In May 2024 the firm was asked for two financial models are part of the retendering contract. "One option was to allow Wiltshire Council to cease operations at one or both HRCs," he told the meeting. "This was before Hills submitted any revised costs."

Mr Allen said Hills had only been able to increase the cost of operations by the rate of inflation.

"Since 2014 costs have risen far in excess of CPI and these have therefore not been recoverable through the contract," he said.

"Hills has in effect subsidised Wiltshire Council waste management costs.

"In light of this, it has been disappointing to hear council comments about an ‘unforeseeable increase in costs’ firstly because council officers have been made aware of the financial performance of this contract over several years and secondly when the revised models for the continued operation of the HRCs was submitted back in June 2024 and therefore foreseeable at that time."

Wiltshire Councillor Jacqui Lay (Purton, Conservative) raised issue of open letter from South Cotswolds MP Dr Roz Savage to the leader of Wiltshire Council, which claimed Hills costs were four times what the council currently paid.

Mr Allen said the price rise was around 75 per cent, and not 400 per cent. He added that the recycling sites were 20 years old and had received "no investment."

"The offices leak and the floors are not fit for purpose," he said. "The 75 per cent increase also includes crucial equipment like compactors."

Cllr Sample responded: "We recognise local disquiet, but we have a multi-million pound budget problem and we have to balance the books.

"We have to cancel Purton HRC contract to balance the books.

"We are examining sites north of M4, speaking to neighbouring local authorities, and investigating a booking system."

He said the council had enjoyed a "positive relationship" with Hills for many years.

"We recognise the good work they’ve done – but the bid Hills put in for this contract was significantly more than we are prepared to pay.

"We cannot afford to invest capital sums in sites WC do not own."

He added that the council was "open to having conversations with Hills and others to find a solution.

"The £4 million black hole requires WC to reduce cost where possible," he said.

Purton Parish Councillor Geoff Greenaway asked how the cost of running Hills' HRCs compared to other sites.

Cllr Sample said the county's other HRCs - the ones owned by the council - "are four times cheaper to run than Hills’ sites."

He added: "We’ve taken a policy decision to invest in sites we own. I regret that we didn’t start work on a new northern HRC earlier."

Cricklade Town Councillor Nick Dye (Liberal Democrat), who also represents Cricklade and Latton at Wiltshire Council, asked whether Hills might consider running the site for residents on a commercial basis.

Mr Allen said: "Hills would need to assess if there was demand. We can invest in infrastructure with a contract, but investment hoping that people will come in is very different.

"Current emotive response may not be reflected by those willing to pay."

Cllr Lay asked what Hills intended to do with the site when it closes.

"There are no plans yet," said Mr Allen. "It’s land that we might rent out or develop for ourselves. It’s not that big a parcel of land."

Hills also released some stats on the number of people using the HRC at Purton and what happens to the waste once it is disposed of by members of the public.

Between December 12 2024 and November 30 2025, nearly 93,500 visits were made to the site. It peaked in August at 9,926 while the quietest month was January at 5,380.

Five thousand tonnes of waste was deposited, of which just over half (51 per cent) was recycled, around a quarter (24 per cent) went to landfill, and a fifth (22 per cent) was incinerated at an 'energy from waste' facility.

Of the recycled material that can be sold, 75 per cent of the revenue went to Wiltshire Council, while Hills takes 25 per cent.

Some items including textiles, bulky waste, and large white goods went to organisations like Kennet Furniture Refurbiz for reuse, and accounted for 1.5 per cent of the material deposited.

In a statement, Wiltshire Scouts said: "Each week, thousands of young people across Wiltshire learn skills for life and enjoy new adventures through Scouting.

"Wiltshire Scouts deliver social action projects tackling issues such as mental health, homelessness, and environmental sustainability, and actively participate in local community events like Remembrance ceremonies, promoting youth-led volunteering and fundraising.

"Practical skills training, including first aid, equips young people to make a positive impact in their communities.

"We can confirm that Wiltshire Scouts have not been approached by the Council regarding support for waste services, and this is not something we are looking to get involved with."