THE household waste recycler, Kerbside, has a huge support base in Calderdale, and could help the council save thousands of pounds by upping its present recycling rate. Much of this groundswell arises from its use of employably-challenged workers, and its local base.

It could do for Calderdale what a dozen Focsas or Sitas could never do, but seemingly the council is prepared to watch it die. It has less than 120 days before its reserves run out (next January, we are told), and it desperately needs a survival strategy.

The new contractor, Sita, has come from France to make money, and its paymaster, Calderdale MBC, has signed a legally-binding long-term contract.

Kerbside would have no hope of going to France, and getting a contract over there. Britain is creating its own slump by giving jobs away, and in this case it seems our 51 councillors are merely watching on the sidelines. Only seven of them were able to vote on the details of this contract (all Conservatives). But there are also Lib-Dem and Labour groups on the council, both of which have members on the actual Scrutiny Panel which can investigate problems like Kerbside's exclusion. The lack of information on this whole issue amazes me!

It's no good Hebden Royd Parish Council supporting their local firm, if their three local (Lib Dem) Calderdale councillors aren't getting to grips with the problem. Similarly the recent Labour leaflet in Skircoat had lots to say about Kerbside, but failed to mention that the chairman of the inactive Scrutiny Panel is a Labour councillor! Kerbside has even had directors who are/were councillors.

The fightback campaign needs to start in the Town Hall, but must be taken to the Ombudsman. Only an external judgment will cause any alteration.

It took a public inquiry to show up the council's deviousness on the Brighouse town centre redevelopment, and that was after 10 years of battling. Kerbside has less than 120 days. Once again, local democracy is failing.

Allen Clegg