MPs criticise council's proposal for smaller bins

Plans were announced to reduce the size of wheelie bins in Kirklees

Plans to introduce smaller wheelie bins across Kirklees have been criticised by MPs.

Kirklees Council has suggested replacing the current 240-litre grey wheelie bins with 180-litre bins, in a move it says would save more than £500,000.

However, Labour MPs Jade Botterill, Paul Davies, Kim Leadbeater and Harpreet Uppal said residents were already "struggling with overflowing bins", describing the proposal as a "short-term financial fix" that "could lead to long-term issues".

Kirklees Council said the proposal was part of a draft budget that would be going out to public consultation.

The MPs' joint statement said: "We understand the budgetary challenges facing local authorities like Kirklees and welcome efforts to encourage residents to recycle more and support climate commitments.

"However, residents are already struglling with overflowing bins, which needs urgent attention."

Meanwhile, Independent councillor Cathy Scott said the plans risked costing taxpayers "a fortune for this stupidity".

She also the council on the "massive carbon footprint" they faced by disposing of the 160,000 existing bins.

"Are you going to burn them, bury them, or just put them on the side of the road?" she asked.

Council deputy leader Moses Crook said smaller bins would "reflect our commitment to recycling" while reducing costs.

According to a council report the move would save £131,000 in the 2025/26 financial year and a further £395,000 the following year.

Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, Graham Turner, repeated that the plans were part of a draft budget that is going out to consultation.

He encouraged members of the public to take part in the consultation before a final decision is made in March 2025.

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.