WHY are Powys residents living close to Monmouthshire not allowed to use recycling or waste facilities that are closer to their homes.

At the moment residents living in Llangattock and Crickhowell have to use the waste and recycling centre in Brecon which is a round trip of between 30 to 50 miles.

While the recycling waste centre in Abergavenny is only four to six miles away.

At the full council meeting on Thursday, July 11, Cllr Jackie Charlton (Liberal Democrat, Llangattock) was given assurances that talks would take place with Monmouthshire County Council to find a solution.

Cllr Charlton has asked to Portfolio Holder for Highways, Recycling and Assets, Cllr Phyl Davies (Conservative, Blaen Hafren) to help.

Cllr Charlon said: “Residents of both our communities use Abergavenny for shopping, cultural activities, hospital visits and a lot else besides.

“Residents of Llangattock and Crickhowell are constantly asking why they cannot use the waste recycling centre in Abergavenny, which would be much easier, sustainable and makes perfect sense.

She she has received information from a resident trying to negotiate access to a waste/recycling facility at Llanfoist in Monmouthshire.

He had been told by Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) staff that PCC were dragging their heels over negotiating access.

Cllr Phyl Davies answered the first question but said that Monmouthshire had taken measures to restrict use if the site to their own residents who pay for the service.

He said that allowing Powys residents to use these sites for free would cost PCC potentially “tens of thousands of pounds” which “we don’t have”.

“We are taking this up with colleagues in Monmouthshire, discussions are underway to potentially allow Powys residents the use of the site in Abergavenny on payment of a fee,” said Cllr Davies.

Cllr Charlton had a follow up question and said: “There is a big issue for my residents, I have a lot of complaints on a regular basis.

“I really think we need to have some negotiation locally and I hope the cabinet could support me and Cllr John Morris (Liberal Democrat – Crickhowell) to find a way forward to get permits for people living in my ward and Crickhowell to use Monmouthshire sites.”

“It is possible but I keep getting blocked .”

Cllr Phyl Davies, answered: “At the end of the day it comes down to money.

“We have had conversations with Monmouthshire, we can’t make a financial commitment, but we can certainly commit to having the discussions.”