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Update regarding the HWRC - January 2025

The closure of the HWRC on Golden Butts Road in April 2024 has been a blow to the whole town.

Ilkley Town Council is aware of the strength of feeling amongst residents and, in April 2024, set up a working group to explore options to reopen the centre or to mitigate its loss.

Advice was sought from the National Association of Local Councils and an independent barrister on the legalities of a Town Council operating a HWRC.

Click here to read the legal opinion received.

It is likely that the working group will be disbanded but fresh initiatives may be considered by the Green Spaces Committee .

The options explored were:

1.        Paying Bradford Council to keep the tip open.

These negotiations ended when the site was put up for sale

2.        Ilkley Town Council buying the site and reopening the centre.

This would be a massive financial undertaking requiring the Council to incur substantial debt and legal advice is that it is outside our jurisdiction.

3.        A weekend skip scheme

A quote was obtained but it was felt to be expensive and difficult to police.

4.        A mobile recycling service like the scheme in North Yorkshire, run by Bradford and paid for by ITC.

This would be the most cost-effective mitigation, but legal advice indicates that this too is beyond the Council’s powers.

5.        An operative with a van

This would bring about a severe administrative burden for which we do not have the necessary staff.