Residents urged to support increase in precept to save Ilkley's tip

It has been set up by Ilkley resident Dan Hammond who wants to support Ilkley Town Council in its efforts to influence Bradford Council to stop the tip closing.

Signs have gone up around Ilkley urging residents to sign the new tip petition (Image: submitted)

Dan said: "This increase would keep our local tip and recycling centre open, ensuring we can continue disposing of waste responsibly while protecting our environment. The Council is unanimous in their desire to keep the tip open. They have not said that they would not raise the precept - in fact this idea emerged from them. This petition is to show support to them by demonstrating that that there is the will in the community to take this action."

To learn more and sign the petition visit: bit.ly/save-our-tip

It comes as talks have started between Ilkley's Mayor Karl Milner and a senior Bradford council officer about whether the town council can play a role in maintaining Golden Butts as a waste collection and recycling site in some form.

Ilkley Town Mayor Karl Milner and John Grogan at the Ilkley tip (Image: submitted)

Ideas on the table include:

The site could be bought or leased by the town council and a private operator asked to provide a service for a period ahead. The operator might be allowed to levy a charge which by law councils are not allowed to do. At the end of the contract the council would have the option of bringing back the service into public hands.

The site could be sold to a private operator with a covenant on its continued use as a waste and recycling centre.

Discussions are also ongoing between Bradford and Leeds Councils on whether Ilkley residents will be allowed to use the Ellar Ghyll site at Otley.

As part of efforts to secure the future of Golden Butts Councillor Andrew Loy (Con, Ilkley), Councillor David Nunns (Con, Ilkley) and Joanne Sugden, lead petitioner of the ‘Save Ilkley Tip’ petition, visited H W Martin’s recycling facility in Leeds to discuss potential alternative operating models.

Andrew Loy, David Nunns and Joanne Sugden with representatives of H W Martin Waste Ltd (Image: submitted)

The trio issued the following statement: “Clearly time is short and Ilkley Tip will unfortunately close on 31 March. However, we are hopeful that an alternative operating model can be put in place which would allow the site to reopen in the coming months. We believe that would be far preferable to other suggestions which have been put forward, such as mothballing the site or allowing residents to use Ellar Ghyll in Otley.

“We had a positive and productive discussion with representatives of H W Martin Waste Ltd, who run similar HWRC sites for other local authorities. We were encouraged with what we heard and believe a viable solution is within reach.

“There are some key areas of detail that need to be worked through, such as ownership or leasing of the site and the potential transfer of the environmental permit from Bradford Council, along with the financials - for example, whether this can be funded from Ilkley Town Council’s precept, or operating the tip on a pay-to-use basis. All of this will take time.

“None of these issues are insurmountable and we are engaging with Bradford Council and Ilkley Town Council regarding our proposal. If they are willing, we are confident that an agreement can be reached.”

Cllr Anne Hawkesworth (Ind, Ilkley) said: “If all councils down the valley should combine and work together to at least buy Golden Butts in the short term - this is possible with use of CIL [Community Infrastructure Levy] money." 

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “Ilkley Town Council has been very active on this issue, and we are having ongoing conversations with them.

“Bradford Council does not want to close facilities but, given the financial constraints on local councils, we can longer afford to run the site and there is no money in the budget for it.

“We understand that Ilkley Town Council is looking at what financial options there may be regarding the site, and we look forward to hearing from them.”

An Ilkley Town Council spokesperson said: "At a meeting on the 5th February 2024 Ilkley Town Council agreed unanimously to oppose the closure of the Household Waste Recycling Centre on Golden Butts Road.

"Before then, on 8th January, the Town Council had set the precept for 2024/2025. This was long before Bradford MDC approved its new budget, including the closure of the Golden Butts site.

"The Town Council has not met since Bradford Council approved its budget on the 7th March so has not yet been able to agree a formal position on the future of the site. It is helpful that the Town Council is aware of the extent of opposition to the closure from the community however there is nothing which can now be done to change the amount of the precept, as many people have suggested, until 2025. The council tax bills including this year's precept are already in the post.

"Instead, the Town Council will consider alternative options at the next Full Council meeting at Ilkley Town Hall which will be held on the 8th April at 7.30pm, the earliest date available because of the Easter holidays."