HBC: Conservatives say Hyndburn recycling wheelie bins are 'a waste of money'

At a meeting of the full Council in Accrington Town Hall on 5th January 2017, the Conservative group Leader asked for clarity from Labour regarding statements in the local media concerning changes to recycling collections in Hyndburn.

Labour Leader of the Council, Miles Parkinson, confirmed that as of summer 2018 the waste collection cost-sharing agreement with Lancashire County Council will end. Hyndburn will switch to a full wheelie bin service for recycling which will see two additional bins for each of the 35,000 households in the borough and an end to the blue and white sack system.

Cllr Parkinson said, "To purchase the necessary wagons to fit down back alleys and supply two new bins to every house in the borough will cost in excess of £2m. This will use up our capital grant from the government for an entire year but we feel that it will enable us to provide the recycling collections that residents have been requesting for a long time and streamline the service."

Cabinet member for Waste Services, Cllr Paul Cox said, "Hyndburn currently receives a substantial income from separated recycling but during 2018 our grant agreement with LCC will end and HBC will be around £800,000 per year worse off. At that point we will switch to combined recycling and provide an easier system for residents than the one we have now."

However, the plans were met with an angry response from the Conservative side and the scheme was derided as a poor investment of public funds.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe said, "As the system was only revamped three years ago, all I can say is what a waste of money."

Cllr Miles Parkinson responded, "The system was not revamped, the wagons were replaced as they had come to the end of their operational lifespan and at that time we did not know that the cost-sharing agreement would be coming to an end in 2018. As you had not set any money aside for new wagons during your decade in office, the Council was faced with an additional £700,000 bill in 2013."

The new recycling system will be operational by the summer of 2018. 

Oswaldtwistle: Stolen coping stones replaced

The York stone coping stones from the wall at Stanhill Gardens were stolen recently and have now been replaced.

St Oswalds Councillor, Glen Harrison, said, "Unfortunately this is a chronic problem across Hyndburn and there is no guaranteed way to protect against stone theft. It's very expensive and I find it sad that there are people out there who would steal from public areas for their own ends. However, we have replaced the copings with concrete slabs and tidied up the wall."

Rishton: Damaged park railings to be replaced

Railings around the childrens' play area at Harwood Road rec have been repeatedly vandalised and fallen into disrepair over the past few years. Bars are missing in several sections which in turn have allowed dogs to enter, causing fouling and intimidation of younger children.

The Rishton Councillors have agreed to spend some of the capital money remaining in the Area Council pot to replace the railings.

Oswaldtwistle: Gates to stop flytipping at Heys allotments

Flytipping at Heys allotment site in Oswaldtwistle has become a regular problem and is now costing Hyndburn Borough Council thousands of pounds a year to clean up. Local Councillors Glen Harrison and Stewart Eaves have met with the Cabinet member for Allotments, Cllr Ken Moss, to find a solution to the issue.

Cllr Eaves said, "We have submitted a request to spend some of our Area Council money on fitting locked gates at the entrances to the allotments. Tenants and horse riders will still have access but it will stop the dumping."

Cllr Harrison said, "There is over £30,000 left in the Oswaldtwistle pot but Cllr Britcliffe and the Conservatives are opposing the move. I can't understand why, this is affecting not only our residents but the future of Heys allotments."

Cllr Moss said, "The allotments service is stretched already and we don't have the resources to keep dealing with flytipping on this scale. Why Peter Britcliffe would try to block this in his own area is a mystery. Gates are the only answer for a sustainable allotments service and the Leader of the Council agrees with me on this."  

There have been 34 instances of flytipping at the Heys site in one year alone, each costing a minimum of £100 to clear up. Gates to block the five entrances will cost £8,250.

Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, has approved the capital spend and work will begin shortly.

Rishton: Work begins at new cemetery

Construction has begun at the new cemetery off Lee Lane which will see burial capacity secured for many decades to come.

Cabinet member for Cemeteries, Cllr Ken Moss, said, "This is a much-needed new facility and represents the first ever cemetery in Rishton. It will be named the Rishton and Great Harwood Cemetery and is expected to cater for burial requirements for at least another 70 years."

The field was bought by HBC several years ago to compensate for the existing Lee Lane Cemetery which is likely to be full within 2-3 years.

Great Harwood: Councillors out cleaning bus shelters

The Great Harwood Labour Councillors have been out cleaning bus shelters around the ward to improve the general appearance of neglected stops.

Cllr Jenny Nedwell said, "We are undertaking the work which people will notice and improve the look of Great Harwood. Plenty of buses went past with waves from passengers who seemed to appreciate what we are doing."

The Councillors are planning more sessions to clean road signs which have grown dirty.

Rishton: Construction begins at Parker Place

Construction on the 72 new homes at the old Gaskells Carpets site, currently going by the name of Parker Place, was officially started on Thursday 10th November with a ground cutting ceremony. Cllrs Clare Cleary and Miles Parkinson were in attendance along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Hyndburn.

Cllr Cleary said, "This represents a real beginning of regenerating this site. The local Councillors are all enthusiastic about this and we have had many enquiries about how residents can buy new houses before the first one is even built. It's an exciting time for Rishton."