Collection delays, vermin and fly-tipping – Calderdale councillors row about waste

Coun Ashley Evans presented a 3,000 strong petition on related issues to the full meeting of Calderdale Council and proposed a motion which would compel the council’s Cabinet to come up with a new plan to tackle the issues.

Coun Evans (Lib Dem, Warley) said: “Crews have been working hard during the period, however it would appear the service is not adequately resourced, volume has increased but capacity has not.”

Councillors were getting reports about rats and vermin and fly tipping was also increasing, said Coun Evans.

“We are asking Cabinet to put in place adequate plans to cope with increased waste from people staying at home in COVID restrictions, and asking the leader of the council to agree not to introduce further cuts in this service,” he said.

Coun James Baker (Lib Dem, Warley) said: “I understand spending is tight and it is difficult to do, but it has to be done as a front line service people rely on.

“Nothing seems to change.

“We are asking you to go away and see if you can come up with a new Cabinet plan to tackle waste and fly-tipping problems, and we are happy to work with you.”

But Coun Silvia Dacre (Lab, Todmorden) said issues were being addressed by the council and service operator Suez.

On a vote the ruling Labour’s group’s amendment became the substantive motion and won the day.

Coun Dacre said: “We think the amended motion better reflects residents’ views of recent disruptions but also shows the council is concerned and reflects accurately work being done to respond to the issues.”

Five mobile cameras had been brought to catch fly tippers and collection capacity had increased with two extra recycling vehicles going into service.

“We are already working behind the scenes to deal with issues arising around missed collections.

“We might accept on some occasions the system seems to get overwhelmed and in bad weather it is impossible to deal with the capacity in less than a few weeks,” she said.

Coun Baker said the amendment removed the requirement for Cabinet to do something more. “Residents think it’s not a good enough service and want to see change,” he said.

Coun Geraldine Carter (Con, Ryburn) said: “It’s time we recognised something is wrong.”

Coun Paul Bellenger (Lib Dem, Greetland and Stainland) said the council should get tougher on fly tippers with prosecutions.

“We want to publicise any decisions to show we mean business – that we are going to find you and we will fine you,” he said.

Earlier Coun Jenny Lynn (Lab, Park) said the budget saving option proposed was closing each centre for the two quietest days of the week – other potential savings, including reducing collection, had been dropped.

Calderdale was well provisioned, she said, with one waste site for every 42,000 residents, the best in West Yorkshire.