Hebweb news 2008: Council Unite on Kerbside

COUNCILS UNITE ON KERBSIDE

Added Tuesday, 9 September 2008

An historic moment occurred when all the parish and town councils of the upper valley, met to consider by what means support could be given to Kerbside (Calderdale).

The problems affecting Kerbside and recycling in Calderdale prompted Blackshaw, Erringden, Heptonstall and Wadsworth Parish Councils and Hebden Royd and Todmorden Town Councils to meet, thought to be the first time ever since the inception of the councils in 1974, to discuss a matter of policy.

The meeting, calling itself the, “Upper Valley Councils Cluster,” gave unanimous support to Kerbside as a not for profit company that has given good service to the upper valley for many years, both through recycling of waste materials and employment of persons with circumstances that discourage many employers from engaging them.

Criticism was leveled at Cllr Graham Reason, Portfolio Holder for Health and Social Care, the Calderdale MBC section responsible for waste collection, for not visiting to assess the activity of Kerbside despite stating that he would do so.

There was also concern expressed over the conduct of the procurement process which led to the waste collection contract being awarded to SITA and the exclusion of Kerbside. Cllr Alan Fowler, Wadsworth Parish Council, suggested that the Local Government Ombudsman be asked to investigate but it was decided to allow Calderdale MBC the opportunity to remedy the situation.

The Cluster called upon Calderdale MBC to devise a means to fund Kerbside for the collection of recyclable materials from 25,000 households which would make the company viable. Cllr John Durnford, Heptonstall Parish Council, pointed out that two of the councils present were, “Quality Councils,” and that they might contemplate taking over the waste collection service from Calderdale MBC.

In the meantime Kerbside is to continue with collections from households using the black boxes as before, whilst SITA has issued many households with a green box marked, “Calderdale Recycling.” Cllr Lesley Jones, Hebden Royd Town Council, said, “Kerbside provide a valuable social service as well as recycling and it will be helpful if people show their support by using the black recycling boxes.”