Walsall tips set to open longer as Tories prepare to lead council
Tip opening hours at sites across Walsall are set to be extended to tackle fly-tipping, it has been pledged as the Tories prepare to take back control of the council.
Leader-elect Councillor Mike Bird said the Tories’ top priority is tackling litter and fly-tipping across the borough.
That could lead to both council tips in Bloxwich and Aldridge being opened for seven days a week, Councillor Bird suggested.
The Bloxwich site is currently closed on Thursdays and Fridays while the Aldridge site is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Councillor Bird said: “We are looking to extend the hours at the tips as littering and street fly-tipping is a big problem.
“And we believe access to the tips is paramount to reducing the amount of fly-tipping in the borough.
“I have already spoken to the chief executive to ask how it can be costed and we’re looking at where we can find money within the existing budget to do this.
“We will just need to wait and see what the figures are and where that money can be found.
“It could be seven days a week and open until 5pm but we need to see what options they can come up with.”
The Tories are set to return to power with a minority administration after winning five seats.
This leaves them with 30 overall out of 60 council seats – just one short of an overall majority.
Labour lost two of their seats taking them down to 26 councillors.
Councillor Bird paid a personal tribute to Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes, and councillors Adrian Andrew and Adam Hicken for their efforts during the election campaign.
He described the Conservative group’s election success as ‘exceptional’.
The Tories’ election success in Walsall even saw them congratulated by PM Theresa May.
