A controversial consultation into the potential closure of Bucks’ rubbish tips has been criticised as drop-in sessions have been scheduled during the working day.

Wycombe District Councillor for Terriers and Amersham Hill, Tony Green, has questioned why an information event has been arranged for Friday morning at High Wycombe library – rather than outside working hours.

This comes after it was announced last week that at least one of Bucks’ recycling centres could face the axe as Bucks County Council (BCC) desperately tries to make £1.2 million worth of savings amid huge “financial pressures”.

Bledlow Ridge and the Burnham centres could be closed down, and the council is also considering reducing the number of open days at the Chesham, Burnham and Aylesbury sites from seven days a week to five as well as introducing charges at all sites for some types of rubbish.

Speaking at a meeting of High Wycombe’s Local Area Forum, Cllr Green said: “I know the thought of closing some of [the recycling centres] given the amount of fly-tipping is a serious concern.

“I don’t think proposing a consultation between 10am and 1pm on a Friday morning is a serious consultation.

“What I am saying is for anything like that who is going to be around from 10am until 1pm on a Friday?

“That is not a serious timescale. Most people are at work and having it tucked away in library in High Wycombe is not the easiest place to pop in to.”

County councillor for Ryemead and Micklefield, Julia Wassell, backed Cllr Green’s concerns, adding consultations should be “widespread, explicit and transparent.”

Director for operations of adult social care Karen Jackson, who was speaking on behalf of BCC at the forum, assured councillors that all information provided at the information session will also be available online.

The schedule of drop-in events:

High Wycombe library – Friday, September 7 – 10am-1pm

Princes Risborough library – Tuesday, September 11 – 10am-1pm

Burnham library – Thursday, October 4 – 10am-1pm

Chesham library – Monday, October 8 – 2-5pm

Beaconsfield library – 11th Oct – 10am-1pm