Tip facing the axe in cuts to save £100m

If the tip at Burntwood is closed, Staffordshire County Council would save £310,000 a year.

A tip in Biddulph, in north Staffordshire, would also close under plans but the remaining recycling centres in the county would have extended hours. It follows a review of each of Staffordshire's 14 household waste recycling centres which looked at visitor numbers and proximity to other sites.

Bosses felt that residents using the tip at Ring Road, Burntwood, had easy access to other sites, particularly Cannock under four miles away, which relaunches as a seven-day-a-week 'super centre' later this year.

They said there are also tips located at Rugeley and Lichfield.

Staffordshire County Council is hoping to launch an eight-week consultation into the move from April 28. Under the plans, a tip in Biddulph, north Staffordshire, would also shut.

If approved, the changes would coincide with extended winter opening hours on all the remaining sites and a new standard approach to accepting carpets, mattresses and certain plastics.

The council signed a contract with a new firm, FCC Environment, in September to run its tips, saving £240,000 annually. The other super sites will be at Bilbrook, Stafford and Leek subject to planning approval for seven-day opening.

At Cannock only, there will be a new facility to donate nearly-new items to Katharine House Hospice for re-sale at their charity shop in the town.

Councillor Mark Winnington, cabinet member for economy, said closing these sites would have least impact on users compared to other areas.

He added: "The road between Burntwood and Cannock is a good one in travelling terms. In terms of residents, people don't always want to be near a tip, with the site being in the middle of Burntwood."

Mr Winnington said the tips were on prime industrial land, close to housing areas, and would be reused to their best advantage if the plans go through.

Consultation forms will be available at Burntwood tip, while staff will be available at the site for users wanting more information.

The move will help the council towards its target of cutting £19.3m from its annual costs this year.

But the plans have been criticised by some, with Burntwood councillor Sue Woodward saying she is furious.

She added: "There are too many services closing down and this is one that people in Burntwood want and need.

"This facility is important to taxpayers and it belongs to them. I am really annoyed that we are having things like this thrown at us all the time.

"We have got cuts to youth services, day services and there are library closures but none of this was being talked about prior to the elections 12 months ago.

"I feel as if the wool is being pulled over our eyes."