Reopening tips in Powys all at once could create problems for other organisations such as the police, a councillor has warned.

Next Tuesday, May 26, Powys Council will reopen its five tips, including those in Llandrindod Wells, Newtown and Welshpool, plus Lower Cwmtwrch and Brecon

But now fears have been raised that doing so all at once could cause problems.

At a meeting of the council's economy, residents, communities and governance scrutiny committee meeting senior management were asked if residents should book their visits.

Committee chairman Cllr Mathew Dorrance said: “If it’s classed as essential, why has the council opted to open them up for all to attend at any time, instead of going for a staggered opening or allowing residents to attend based on ward postcode?”

Corporate director of economy and environment, Nigel Brinn, replied: “We’re going with the most straightforward and manageable process.

“If we have problems once we re-open we will have a look at it again. Once we get into postcodes or booking arrangements it becomes administratively very difficult and challenging for the team.”

Mr Brinn stressed that if residents kept to the rules then the re-opening there would be no need of “complicated or burdensome” arrangements.

When asked about what would happen if people turned up en masse, Mr Brinn said that if numbers of visitors were “particularly excessive” then Dyfed-Powys may be asked to step in.

“I suspect it will be very busy at the outset, it is quite clear that this is for essential use only and I hope people respect that,” added Mr Brinn.

Cllr Dorrance, said: “My worry is given we have a blanket opening rather than staggering or a booking system we could without wanting to, put a pressure on other public services like the police.

“There could be a knock on effect, it’s not something we should be going for, that decision itself creates a risk to key-partners and agencies.”

One way of stopping too many people visiting the tips is to allow more recylcing to be collected at the kerbside during weekly collections.

Cllr David Selby (Liberal Democrat – Newtown Central) asked:  “Is the message clear enough that people can put out extra cardboard and plastics and they will be collected?”

Mr Brinn added: “I would like to think so , there is no limit to the amount of recycling you can put out.

“We want your recycling please and the crews will pick up what they can from the kerbside.”

Details about the tips reopening can be found here.