A COUNCILLOR has hailed a decision to spare the Barnoldswick Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

Lancashire county councillor David Whipp, who represents the West Craven area, said: “The future of HWRCs has been in doubt due to the huge funding gap caused by government cuts and shortfall in social care funds. There has been speculation that the recycling centres would be run down.

“The county council has confirmed a decision to retain all the recycling centres at their present opening hours and staffing levels.

“I'm delighted that Barnoldswick's recycling centre is safe and that it'll continue to make a major contribution to recycling for residents in West Craven and beyond.”

The Barnoldswick centre, on West Close Road, is one of Lancashire County Council's 15 household waste recycling centres which was set to see its operation contract expire on March 31, 2018.

However, in a report to Cllr Marcus Johnstone, the Cabinet Member for Environment Services, and Cllr David Borrow, the county council's Deputy Leader, the council's head of waste management, Steve Scott, recommended retaining the current level of provision across the county.

He wrote: "Approval is sought for the recommissioning of the service from April 1, 2018, on the basis of the continuation of the current level of provision in terms of network of sites, staffing levels and existing opening hours".

Councillors Johnstone and Borrow approved the recommendations set out in the report and the full council voted to continue with the service.

The Barnoldswick centre, along with 23 HWRC sites across Lancashire were up for scrutiny in 2010 in an attempt to achieve almost £2 million in efficiency savings.

However, after an emergency meeting of councillors, only four sites at St Annes, Rufford, near Southport, Padiham and Langho, were selected for closure. Since then, four other HWRCs in the county have also closed.

The Barnoldswick HWRC is open seven days a week and closes only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day.