Concerns over tip closures and library hours cuts

The Macclesfield MP has raised concerns about cuts to household waste recycling centres and libaries

A newly-elected Labour MP has raised concerns about proposed closures of tips and libraries in his area.

Cheshire East Council, which is led by a coalition between Labour and the Independent group, has announced the emergency closure of three tips and is undertaking a review of libraries - which could see some opening hours slashed.

Tim Roca, the MP for Macclesfield, has asked the authority to “reconsider the timing and implementation of these changes” and requested a meeting with the council’s chief executive.

Cheshire East Council responded to Mr Roca's letter to offer him a more detailed briefing on the plans.

'Changes must be thought through'

Mr Roca said he “appreciated” that the previous government’s austerity measures had put significant financial restraints on the council and understood the need for essential savings, but said it was “crucial that any changes to services are properly thought through”.

Cheshire East Council has announced plans to temporarily close household waste recycling sites in Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich from 4 August ahead of a review later this year.

A mobile household waste recycling service will be available for residents in these areas.

There will also be a booking system to visit the remaining centres in Alsager, Crewe, Knutsford and Macclesfield on weekends and bank holidays.

Meanwhile, the council has also signed off a consultation which could see libraries in Alderley Edge, Bollington, Disley and Handforth facing reduced opening hours of one-and-a-half days a week.

Mr Roca said he felt many of the council’s proposed savings “do at first sight appear to be concentrated in the north east of the borough, particularly in my constituency”.

“This has been a matter again that many residents have raised with me,” he said.

Senior officers at the council said it had offered Mr Roca a briefing update on the position of both the libraries and the household waste recycling centres.