Pressure is growing on Kirklees Council’s Labour Cabinet over plans to close one of the district’s five household waste sites and cut the opening hours of two others.

The council’s Conservative group has ‘called in’ the cost-cutting decision claiming a lack of openness and a lack of consultation with councillors and the public.

Opposition groups can ‘call in’ decisions for them to be examined by a scrutiny panel which can then make recommendations though none are binding on the Cabinet.

Under the plans – approved as part of the council’s 2024-25 budget in March – the Nab Lane household waste recycling centre in Birstall will shut down and both Meltham and Upper Cumberworth tips will only open five days a week and not seven.

The Conservatives say there was no consultation, no details published in the budget papers or discussed at Cabinet and no information had been provided about what alternative options had been considered.

The ‘call in’ will go before a meeting of the Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Panel and must be held within two weeks.

 

 

The decision has already been condemned by the union Unite, which is concerned about job losses and an increase in fly-tipping, while a petition has been set up in Birstall.

An online petition has also been launched by Holme Valley North Tory councillor Donna Bellamy called: “Prevent an increase in fly-tipping: Keep Meltham Recycling Centre open 7 days a week.” More than 500 people have signed it so far.

Clr Bellamy said: “The decision was taken without consultation with councillors or residents and may result in higher demand on the remaining open days.

“Fly-tipping is already a significant issue in our area and closing our recycling centre for these two days will only exacerbate the problem.”

Meanwhile, Spen Valley Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has also called on the Labour group to think again.

She said: “Whilst I fully understand the extremely challenging financial position Kirklees Council are in due to chronic underfunding from central government, I am deeply concerned about decisions being taken without sufficient consultation and full consideration of the impact.”

 

 

Ms Leadbeater (above) said she and her family had used the Birstall tip themselves for over 40 years and criticised the lack of consultation earlier in the year.

She added: “I am also very disappointed by the lack of communication with members of the public and elected members, including myself and my office, about this matter. There does not appear to have been any sort of public consultation which I feel is totally unacceptable.”

The decision was taken before new council leader Carole Pattison took over in July and Ms Leadbeater said she was hopeful the new leadership would provide a period of stability to the benefit of people across Kirklees.

She added: “I am fully supportive of the new administration and am looking forward to working together. I hope we can improve communication and work collaboratively and closely together in the interests of all our residents and constituents.”

The closure plans are due to come into force in autumn 2024. Under the plans Bent Ley Road in Meltham will open Wednesday to Sunday while Bromley Farm in Upper Cumberworth will open Friday to Tuesday.