Opening days of the s household waste and recycling centres in Powys could increase to five days a week including weekends, if a recommendation to the council’s cabinet is approved next week.

Powys County Council’s Cabinet will be considering the findings of an urgent review on the impact of reducing the opening days to three days a week at the centres. They will also consider the impact of vehicle restrictions that were also introduced.

The changes were introduced in April as part of budget-saving measures.

The cabinet will consider the review findings when it meets on Tuesday, July 11. They will also consider recommendations to increase the opening days to five days a week including weekends and to introduce a permit scheme for residents to use commercial-type vehicles and trailers for their own household waste.

If the recommendations are approved, the new opening days and permit scheme will come into effect from the beginning of September.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Waste and Property, said, “I called for this very urgent review of the impact of the changes that were introduced at the county’s household waste and recycling centres.

“We are committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling rates but the changes that were introduced three months ago sent out mixed messages. They also attracted considerable comments from residents and the county’s elected representatives.

“I am recommending to cabinet that the opening days of all the centres are increased to five days a week including weekends and that we introduce a permit scheme for residents to use commercial-type vehicles and trailers for their own household waste. If approved, these latest changes will come into effect this September.

“The cabinet will need to consider how to fund these changes if they are approved but we are committed to delivering changes for our residents and tacking the issues that cause the most concern.”

Opening days at the five household waste centres Brecon, Llandegley, Newtown, Welshpool and Lower Cwmtwrch in Ystradgynlais were reduced in April.

The current opening days and times for the centres are:

• Brecon: Monday and Tuesday (9am-5pm); Sundays (9am-4pm)

• Llandegley: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays (10am-4pm)

• Newtown: Tuesday and Thursdays (9am-5pm); Sundays (9am-4pm)

• Welshpool: Monday and Fridays (9am-5pm); Saturdays (9am-4pm)

• Lower Cwmtwrch, Ystradgynlais: Thursday and Fridays (9am-5pm); Saturdays (9am-4pm)

Restrictions on the type of vehicles that can access the centres came into effect on the same time.