VIEWS are being sought on proposals to introduce a booking system at household waste recycling sites across the county.

The move could reduce queuing at sites, help save East Sussex County Council as much £50,000 a year and help ensure only residents’ waste is being disposed.

The proposals are part of the authority’s work to identify areas where savings can be made to address an expected £55 million funding gap next year.

A consultation opened on Monday, October 28 and will run for eight weeks, closing on Sunday, December 22.

Cllr Claire Dowling, lead member for transport and environment, said: “Despite saving more than £140 million over the past decade, reductions in funding and increasing demand for services means the county council will have to make some difficult choices in order to balance the budget next year.

“I stress that no decisions have been made, and it is important that councillors have all the information they need to make those decisions when setting the budget for 2025/26.

“We are in a fortunate position to be able to look at the impact booking systems have had in neighbouring authorities, but we also need to understand how any changes will affect East Sussex residents, and I would encourage people to give their feedback during the consultation period.”

The proposal would see the introduction of a booking portal on which residents would be able to book a time to visit one of the county’s 10 household waste recycling sites. Residents will also be able to book via telephone.

As well as helping the county council make much-needed savings, the new system would reduce queuing at busier sites, help stop trade waste being taken to sites and stop people from outside the county using the facilities to which they do not contribute.

Cllr Dowling added: “We know that there are concerns that booking systems could lead to an increase in fly-tipping, but a 2023 report commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) found no evidence of a rise in fly-tipping linked to the introduction of booking schemes, and councils who have implemented scheme have not experienced any increases.

“Feedback and concerns raised during the consultation will be taken into account when councillors make a decision when they come to set the budget in February 2025.”

Anyone wanting to give feedback can do so by visiting https://consultation.eastsussex.gov.uk where full details of the consultation can be viewed.

Ends.