‘Get these two tips open’ Calderdale Council leaders are told by angry protesters

Calderdale Council’s sites at Elland and Sowerby Bridge were closed when COVID-19 lockdown was imposed at the start of the pandemic and unlike three others at Halifax, Brighouse and Todmorden have not re-opened since.

Critics at the, at times, angry meeting say this has led to increased fly-tipping, an increase in vermin from uncollected waste and round trips of up to two hours as queues grow at the tips which are open, bringing an environmental cost.

Calderdale Council’s Place Scrutiny Board agreed to recommend to Cabinet it re-opens the centres, exploring whether social distancing guidance can allow for more people to use centres and explore other ways to improve the service, and is also urging full council to recommend the same when it meets early in September.

Board Chair Coun George Robinson (Con, Hipperholme and Lightcliffe) said many residents were concerned the tips would never re-open.

Cabinet member for Regeneration and Strategy, Coun Jane Scullion (Lab, Luddenden Foot) said she had heard some “extraordinary rumours” about the sites but all council services which were not statutory could not be guaranteed given the tough financial position the council was in, with a Government funding review not due until the autumn.

“I can’t guarantee that in two years’ time any of the council’s services other than statutory services will be in place.

“I am sorry if that sounds very gloomy but I am trying to be realistic,” she said.

Resident Samantha Gill presented the 1,886 signature Elland petition and said the ongoing closure was an issue many local people felt passionately about.

Fly-tipping increased over the period it had been shut and which later had to be cleaned up.

“Clearly some people feel there is no option other than to dispose of it on their street in the knowledge that eventually they will clear it up.

“We’re fighting to revive our little town so to us the refuse site is more important than just a disposal point.

“It is a sign that our town matters,” she said.

Co-presenting the 2,366 signature petition concerning both Elland and Sowerby Bridge, with Coun Paul Bellenger (Lid Dem, Greetland and Stainland), Coun Rob Holden (Ind, Ryburn) said the situation, which included drivers queuing at the other tips which were open, was causing “unbelievable” damage to the environment, kerbside services were also suffering and on occasion not being collected, with an increase in vermin as a result, as well as fly-tipping.

“Let’s crack on and let’s get these centres re-opened as soon as possible, let’s get it so the community can start getting rid of their waste again,” said Coun Holden.

Coun Bellenger asked if the centres were in the process of re-opening and if so how long that would be.

“People are frustrated these centres are remaining closed,” he said.

Joe Matthews from Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker’s office said Mr Whittaker had received 600 emails about the issue, as well as more about household collections, and fly-tipping was a third higher over the first seven months of the year than normal levels.

Government had provided £20 million to Calderdale to help deal with COVID-19 issues, he said.

“Residents’ concern is that the council has not set a date for re-opening – and has it plans to re-open them at all?” said Mr Matthews.

Cabinet member for Public Services and Communities, Coun Susan Press (Lab, Todmorden) said the council’s priority was ensuring the public and staff could use and work in the centres safely.

The council had prioritised the kerbside collection service which was under a lot of pressure and she accepted sometimes collections had been missed – staffing was affected with contractor Suez having some staff shielding and extra items needing to be collected.

The bulky waste collection service had also been restarted.

“I appreciate people’s frustration and their concern. We are constantly looking at the situation,” she said.

Director of Public Services, Zohrah Zancudi said three centres at Halifax, Brighouse and Todmorden had been re-opened when easing of lockdown restrictions had allowed it.

It was a difficult and challenging situation, staff illnesses or needing to isolate or shield affected numbers and some staff who normally worked at Elland and Sowerby Bridge used to support the other three sites.

In terms of the overall service, it exceeded the council’s statutory requirements and provided an excellent level of service compared to other authorities.

Officers also said there would be cost implications of £500 a day for Sowerby Bridge and £1,000 for Elland for traffic management which would allow the two sites to open safely.

There were other issues with the sites which meant only low numbers would be able to use them at any one time, said Ms Zancudi.

After hearing from Cabinet members and council officers, Coun Holden said: “To say I am absolutely livid is quite an understatement.

“Anyone with an iota of sense can see the direction of travel regards these two centres.

“I have taken time out to speak to Suez staff who have told me themselves they can work safely within measures required by the Government.

“I’m talking about people on the ground who put the measures in place,” he said.

Coun Holden said he had seen an email from the council’s Chief Executive Robin Tuddenham that said Cabinet decided what level of service the council could provide.

“Which is civil service speak for ‘we’re going to look at it and these tips are going to close’.

“It’s not on.

“It’s about time this council started priotitising for the residents,” he said.

Rishworth resident Mel Stead, who told the board she advised eight local authorities on restructuring their servcies, said Suez was a contractor and the council should manage them.

Getting more people into the tips and more tips open would reduce traffic queues, people including health staff and supermarket workers had to go into work and anyone going to a supermarket could see that every other bay was not empty, she said.

“We’re talking about children trying to play in a garden where there is now rats.

“I’m astounded to sit here and listen to you saying you are doing a good job – you’re not, and you’re not listening to the public,” said Ms Stead.

Coun Sophie Whittaker (Con, Rastrick) asked if time slots could be used to ease traffic issues and Coun Roisin Cavanagh (Lab, Luddenden Foot) asked if social distancing guidelines could be re-examined to see if more people could be allowed to use the sites at any one time.

Coun Sue Holdsworth (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said people’s anger should not be underestimated and Coun Josh Fenton-Glynn (Lab, Calder) said creative solutions shoud also be explored.