Tory fury as recycling centre scrutiny to be discussed in secret
The council decided to close the Purton and Lower Compton sites to help save money
Conservatives on Wiltshire Council are furious that a discussion on the future of two household recycling centres in the north of the county will be discussed in secret.
The council’s environment select committee will meet on Thursday, January 15 to discuss the closure of the facilities at Purton and Lower Compton, near Calne.
But the discussion will be held behind closed doors – members of the press and public will be asked to leave the meeting before the debate begins.
On December 9, Wiltshire Council announced its intention to close the household recycling centres at Purton and Lower Compton, near Calne.
Of the council’s 10 HRCs, they are the only ones that are privately operated.
The council’s contract with Hills Waste Solutions is due to expire in July this year, and councillors said they were concerned about the cost of renewing the contracts – although neither side have confirmed exactly how much that would be, and how much it would cost Wiltshire Council to establish a new HRC for the north of the county.
The council has also not confirmed exactly where the new HRC would be, although the most likely contender seems to be the former salt depot in Royal Wootton Bassett.
The Wiltshire councillor for Lyneham, Allison Bucknell (Conservative) spearheaded a move to call-in the decision for further scrutiny, but was thwarted by the Liberal Democrat-led cabinet.
She then requested that the matter be brought before the environment scrutiny committee for discussion.
However, the debate will be held as a so-called Part 2 agenda item – meaning the press and public won’t be allowed to hear what it said.
Cllr Bucknell, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I was angry with the cabinet’s original decision to close the HRCs with no alternative provision in place.
“I was even more frustrated when I called the decision in for extra scrutiny and was unconstitutionally blocked from doing so.
“I am now absolutely appalled to have been told that the discussion that will take place at the next environment select committee will be behind closed doors.
“There seems to be no end to the tactics the Liberals will use to avoid scrutiny and public engagement.”
Members of the public will have a chance to quiz the council’s Liberal Democrat leadership at a meeting of the Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Board, which is being held at Royal Wootton Bassett Memorial Hall, Station Road, Royal Wootton Bassett on Tuesday, January 20 from 6.30pm.