Seven-day tip opening to return under new waste contract
Calderdale’s new leadership has confirmed a return to seven-day opening at all household waste recycling centres by the end of the year, reversing last year’s reductions in hours brought in to save money. The pledge came at the first cabinet meeting since Calderdale Reform took control of the council in May, with members outlining early service changes and programme updates affecting residents across the borough.
Cabinet member for Public Services Cllr Peter Hunt said the expanded opening schedule will be delivered as part of a new waste contract commencing next month. He stressed the shift back to daily access would be delivered “at no additional cost to council tax payers.”
The council scaled back opening times at tips last year to manage budget pressures. Restoring daily access is intended to make recycling easier for households and reduce queuing at peak times. Detailed timetables for each site have not yet been published, but the administration says the change will be implemented by year-end.
- All Calderdale tips to move to seven-day opening before 2027 begins
- Funded via the new waste contract, with no extra call on local tax bills
- Revised timetables to follow; residents advised to check for updates later in the year
Fresh interest in The Shay after aborted sale
The cabinet also disclosed that there are three expressions of interest for The Shay stadium’s future management and operation, following the withdrawal of Ken Davy from a proposed purchase. Responsibility for The Shay, home to Halifax Town and Halifax Panthers, remains with the council while options are assessed.
According to Cllr Mike Payne, cabinet member for Corporate Services, Assets and Resources, the council has received proposals from local figures and organisations. The authority has invited any additional prospective operators to come forward by Sunday, 2 August.
| Interested party | Affiliation | Proposal approach |
|---|---|---|
| Halifax Town Hall Stewart & Beverly Charnock-Bates | Local proponents | Community asset transfer to a not-for-profit, community-led body with professional oversight |
| Tony Wood | Owner, Roxor Group (Halifax) | Creation of a community trust to run the stadium |
| Consortium of Halifax Panthers directors | Rugby league club leadership | Collaboration with other groups and key stakeholders on future operation |
Any further parties must notify the council by the stated deadline to be considered. The administration did not outline selection criteria or timescales beyond the call for interest, but signalled that community-focused models and financially sustainable operations are on the table.
Brighouse town centre: redesign before phase two
On the Brighouse town centre improvement scheme, the cabinet said work remains paused before the start of phase two while a revised design is finalised. This follows concerns raised by traders about the programme’s first phase. Cllr Darren Commons, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, told colleagues that he expects to receive the new plans next week.
He added that delays affecting the initial phase have inadvertently created enough leeway in the programme to allow contractors to move into phase two promptly once the redesign is approved, saying work could begin “straight away.”
The scheme’s aims and funding envelope were not revisited at the meeting, but the revised approach indicates a shift towards accommodating feedback from businesses while seeking to maintain momentum on delivery.
What changes, and when?
While exact dates are yet to be pinned down for several strands, the cabinet signalled the following sequence:
- Next month: New waste contract starts, enabling operational changes at tips.
- By end of year: All Calderdale tips open seven days a week.
- Next week: Cabinet member to receive updated plans for Brighouse phase two.
- By Sunday, 2 August: Deadline for new parties to express interest in managing The Shay.
Why this matters locally
Daily opening at waste sites could reduce fly-tipping risk and improve convenience by spreading demand across the week, particularly important for households with limited weekend availability. For Brighouse, a carefully reworked phase two is intended to limit disruption for traders while keeping regeneration moving. The Shay’s future governance will have implications for matchday operations, community use and long-term maintenance of a key borough asset.
“At no additional cost to council tax payers.”
Further details on timetables, revised designs and the evaluation of stadium proposals are expected from the council in due course. Residents, businesses and stakeholders should look out for formal updates as the cabinet progresses these decisions.
