CRAVEN councillors were left in the dark over an 'improvement notice' issued by the Health and Safety Executive more than a year ago, it has been revealed.

The HSE first contacted the council in September last year as part of an ongoing audit about its waste management service.

But the notice was only brought to the attention of the majority of councillors in August - 11 months later.

The notice required the council to carry out an assessment of what was required of its waste disposal staff .

A follow-up letter in December called on the council to consider a kerbside collection service, to 'reduce the risk of injury' and to inform residents that they must not overload their bins.

The letter went on to raise concerns about there being no reversing policy in place for wagons and the potential of injury.

It said crews should also be provided with thermal clothing, including hats and gloves, in the winter, and provision of fire extinguishers in the cabs should be considered.

Steps are now under way to comply with the HSE recommendations and residents likely to be hit by the changes will be contacted between now and March.

But, only now has the original letter been released to councillors.

"Having now at last received the full report, there is little wonder why those in control of Craven Council were so embarrassed by its contents and did not wish it to see the light of day," said Skipton councillor Robert Heseltine.

Cllr Heseltine (Ind), who had repeatedly asked for a copy of the HSE letter, called for a full, constructive debate by all council members.

"What is desperately needed is a full debate on all aspects of the shocking safety report, rather than the previous approach of 'trust us, we know best, you wouldn't understand the report'."

He added: "I, for one, have had enough of this condescending clap trap.

"It has now become clear that the refuse and cleansing service was within just one point from being shut down overnight as unacceptably unsafe."

A spokesman for Craven District Council said a number of improvements to waste management had been suggested following a visit by the HSE in December.

"Most were routine operational changes, such as route round risk assessments, documenting procedures for reversing, and the provision of thermal clothing. Work on implementing these began with immediate effect. "

A recommendation calling for a change in collection points needed a decision of councillors.

"It was brought to the council’s policy committee as soon as was possible, which was in September, because the change in collection points required a risk assessment be commissioned, a new policy developed and a report to council committee.

"The lead member for Greener Craven, Cllr Carl Lis, made a statement about this during last August’s council meeting.

"The timescales proposed for the implementation of all HSE recommendations were agreed with the Health and Safety Executive."