“Now is the time to speak up for Westbury’s future”: Residents urged to act over Wiltshire waste plans

Residents are being urged to take action over Wiltshire Council’s proposed waste policy, which Westbury Town Council says could make the planned incinerator in the town more likely to go ahead. 

More than 50 residents attended a meeting at The Laverton last night, Thursday 19th February, to discuss the policy and its potential impact. Presentations were given by Cllr Matt Dean and local MP Andrew Murrison. 

Wiltshire Council is proposing to vary the existing Hills Waste contract at the Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility in Westbury, saying the £19.8 million termination fee makes ending the contract “unaffordable.” 

The town council says varying the contract is neither the best financial solution nor in the town’s interest. They argue that terminating the contract could save taxpayers nearly £39 million over 12 years. They said that this contract is central to the financial viability of the incinerator. 

Cllr Mark Bailey said, “This policy will affect all of us in this town as there are implications for the future of the Hills waste processing plant, a source of much nuisance and smell, and it also has a potential impact on the future of the Westbury incinerator.” 

Westbury Town Council opposes the proposed policy and is calling on residents to contact Wiltshire Councillors and the council leader before the Wiltshire Council full council meeting on Tuesday 24th February, when the budget, including the waste policy, will be decided.  

Cllr Matt Dean added, “What can you do? You can speak to your local Wiltshire councillors, absolutely critical. You can write to your MP and you can ask your MP to make representations to all political groups at Wiltshire Council. You can lobby the leadership of the council, you can write to the Chief Executive of the council and you can turn up and have your say on February 24th. Please email or write with your view before then to Wiltshire Council.” 

Residents are being urged to contact councillors and ask them to oppose any continued or future use of the MBT facility in Westbury. 

Prior to the meeting, Reform Wiltshire Councillor Boaz Barry for Westbury North said the alternative budget proposed by the Conservative group will include “an immediate halt to all negotiations on the MBT contract variation, alongside a firm commitment, working with councillors and Westbury Town Council to explore every possible option to secure the funding needed to terminate the contract entirely.” 

Cllr Gordon King, part of Wiltshire Council’s Liberal Democrat group, has previously said he opposes the incinerator but that financial constraints left the administration with “no choice.” He added that the previous Conservative administration had been “irresponsible and incompetent” in awarding all waste contracts to one company, leaving “no spare money anywhere.” 

Westbury Town Council added, “Now is the time to speak up for Westbury’s future.” 

For more information, visit: https://www.westburytowncouncil.gov.uk/dept/incinerator/