North Somerset Council says falling material prices and rising processing costs have left a significant gap in its waste budget, adding pressure to an already challenging financial position.
00:00For years, recycling has brought in money to help cover the cost of waste services in North Somerset.
00:06But this year, the council says the value of these materials has fallen sharply, leaving a sizeable gap in its budget.
00:11Mickey Green, the authority's Director of Environment, Assets and Travel, says they are collecting more recycling than before, yet due to global pressures, it is all worth less.
00:21The biggest impact has come from local plastics. According to the local democracy service, the price of a ton of plastic has halved compared with last year.
00:29Material that sold for £168 in 2024 to 2025 is now worth only £8.
00:36North Somerset Council says that the drop alone means it has earned £260,000 less this year.
00:44During that time, the authority expects further pressures, including an additional £100,000 in costs because the companies that handled its wastes would have relocated from Newport to Barry in Wales.
00:56The government says £69 billion have been made available to councils this year for public services, including a 6.4% increase in funding for North Somerset.
01:07But the wider picture remains difficult. More than 20 plastic facilities have closed nationwide in the past two years, creating additional uncertainty in the market.
01:15Councillor Steve Bridger, who chairs the committee, describes the situation as deeply depressing.
01:22All this feeds into a wider challenge. North Somerset Council says it is facing a £25 million gap in its budget for the next financial year, driven largely by rising demand for and the cost of social care.
01:35Senior finance officers have warned the authority will not be able to balance its books without what they call exceptional financial support from the government.
01:44Man, I think they will need the opportunity to reduce the numbers of people losingamines.
01:51I will not be able to deal with this question.
01:53I will not be able to receive a higher chance that I cannot identify the poor ones that I have in the past two years.
01:57I will not give an extra interest in business, a GETCoverty and a MASK network.
02:00I will not give an extra interest in the past ten years.
02:03I will not give an extra interest in business.
02:06I will not give an extra interest in my interest in that I will not be able to help you.
Be the first to comment