THE future of household waste recycling centres across Cheshire East remains uncertain beyond 2023, with news the one in Congleton will definitely close in September.

At its final meeting on Tuesday (May 4), the cabinet carried a recommendation that Congleton will not be replaced until a new contract for waste across the whole borough is agreed when the current one expires in March 2023.

The site in Congleton is located on private land and the owner has informed the council of its intention not to renew the lease.

That decision has no immediate impact on the sites in both Knutsford and Middlewich, which will remain open until at least 2023, leaving a total of seven across the borough from September onwards.

Despite suggestions that this number could eventually be reduced to three 'super sites' at locations in Knutsford, Macclesfield and Crewe, it was confirmed that there is no intention for cabinet to make such a proposal at this moment in time, with consultations set to continue.

Some councillors aired concerns that the Congleton closure in September would have a knock on effect in terms of fly tipping and also result in some people having to travel farther to dispose of their waste, which would have a detrimental impact on the environment.

Cabinet Chair, Sam Corcoran disagreed however, saying there was no link between the proximity of recycling centres and an increase in fly tipping, while also explaining why the centre was closing.

He said: "The current site is privately owned and attempts to renew the lease have been unsuccessful.

“So without the consent of the freeholder, the site will have to close in September and compulsory purchase is not possible.

“It’s not that we’re not listening, it’s that we do not have the power to keep the Congleton site open, no matter how many people ask for it.

"Secondly, on fly tipping, I congratulate the police on apprehending fly-tippers and I’m pleased to note that Cheshire East councillors supported this work.

“The evidence is that there was no significant increase in fly tipping after the closure of the Arclid waste recycling centre in 2017.

“Despite following the climate change debate for many years I have never previously heard Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough or any other climate change campaigner argue that to reduce climate change we must have more household waste recycling centres.

"The council's corporate plan and environmental strategy prioritises waste prevention, reduction and reuse over recycling and disposal.

"Reduce, reuse, recycle.

"In that order."

Cllr Corcoran went on to say how the likely cost to replace the facility in Congleton would run into the millions and there had been little in the way of positive response from Fiona Bruce MP when looking at potential ways a new site could be realistic be funded by government.

Cllr Jill Rhodes said she hoped any future decisions about the boroughs waste disposal and recycling centres should be made in the best interests of all residents.

She said: "All residents should have equal access to recycling centres.

"Very few in the north of the borough are more than 20 minutes away from a recycling centre.

"Surely it is the duty of the Cheshire East council to provide access to all residents, not just those in the north of the borough."