Please see a joint statement by myself, Harpreet UppalKim Leadbeater MBE and Jade Botterill MP regarding the recent suggested changes from Kirklees Council in relation to wheelie bins.

I fully support efforts to encourage more recycling, but I believe it’s not the right time for some of the recent changes, especially for residents in the Colne Valley constituency. The decision in October to reduce access to the Bent Ley Road site in Meltham by closing it on Mondays and Tuesdays is one I opposed, and I still feel it will have a negative impact on local residents.

While I’m deeply sympathetic to the financial challenges the council faces – after years of cuts from central government – we must make sure decisions are made with the best interests of residents in mind. The timing of these changes is crucial, and we need to ensure they don’t create more problems than they solve.

I’m glad to hear that the council will be listening to feedback, and I strongly encourage them to take residents’ concerns into account as they move forward.