We would be prepared to pay for extra bin bags

A wheelie bin has a capacity just over twice that of a bag but the council claims that one bin will take as much waste as up to five bags. Maybe if one ignores safety and jumps up and down on it but the machinery on the lorry probably won’t be able to get it out! We compost everything possible and autumn leaves are made into leaf mould. However, at some times of year we are not alone in having to put out many bags.

We would be prepared to pay a reasonable cost each time we request or need a new bag, which would defray the expense of the current system, the cost of bags being one of the Council’s arguments for the change. The relative cost of bins and associated new equipment has not been declared.

Bags, by their nature, are much more resident friendly. They take up minimal space when not in use whereas storage of bins is a well-known housing problem.

On February 27, a Bradford official told my wife that she should hire a gardener and tell him to use his own vehicle to take additional waste to the tip! How very green: lots of people taking comparatively small amounts of rubbish with all the environmental implications that, elsewhere, Bradford is crowing about reducing. This is a case of double standards unacceptable from a district council: reducing its own fuel consumption but actively increasing the overall levels throughout its district.

If the weight of bags poses an issue for the operatives of the current system, the bags could be made smaller if more were provided. If Bradford really expects residents to be making more trips to the tips then they will have to put serious effort into making this process safer: the sides of the containers at the tips can be some distance from the handrail over which residents must lift their bags. This is not good for human bodies of any age and invites more claims for injury compensation.

Honest folk will drive to the tip. Others will fly tip, where it will remain unsightly, a nuisance or cost more money to clear up.

I seem to remember that the council used to claim that their garden-waste scheme was so good, environmentally beneficial and economic.

This appears to be a decision taken without full consideration of all possible consequential effects and certainly without the promised consultation, at least in this area. Is it too late for residents’ voices to be listened to?

Peter Jenkins, Burley-in-Wharfedale

We are a market town with roots in the Dales

Twenty-five years ago I was relocating from Gloucestershire to Yorkshire and after a couple of weeks of fairly fruitless searching for the new family residence, one evening I drove through Bramhope and round the corner to the point where Old Pool Bank joins the Leeds Road and reveals a jewel of a view across green fields to the to the Wharfe and beyond to Arnscliffe.

Driving down the side of the valley I kept craning my neck thinking this was fantastic, driving through Otley itself with its market square and array of pubs, butchers, bakers, candlestick makers, this was no middle-class suburb of Leeds. This was a town with a character of its own, this was a town not pretty, not twee, but with something about it that made it alive, vibrant.

Some time past I was in the Lions’ bookshop and came across the Yorkshire Dales Official Guide circa 1950 and there on page 19 sits Otley, described as having a history that goes back to Roman times, a market that pre-dates the Normans, a school that got it charter 400 years ago and the oldest agricultural show in England.

That is Otley, our Otley, set firmly in the guide in Wharfdale. You only have to wander into town to see our town has more in common with the Dales than its giant neighbour Leeds. Yet we seem to be at the beck and call of Leeds. People who don’t live here want to tell us what is best for Otley. Apparently, property development of our green spaces is best for Otley. Even the name of the Leeds expansion, Unitary Development Policy, suggests that Otley is a mere pawn in the game.

Leeds Council wishes us to forget that we are a market town and that our roots are in the Dales. They have a plan that will Tarmac over the green fields that run down from the Chevin, put 500 houses in the east of Otley, not houses for the young of Otley, houses for the middle class of Leeds who want to get their children into the already oversubscribed Prince Henry’s.

Part of the plan seems to be that a few landowners can make a pretty penny from selling the land, selling fields, where those fleeing the Irish famine found refuge, sell the camp field where Cromwell’s army rested, sell the old railway line where dog walkers stroll, sell part of the heart of Otley.

These developers and land sellers are they interested in Otley? No they want to stuff their pockets with the maximum profits from the sale of houses to the wealthy, built on the premise of living in a dale.

They will sell houses on a lie as they build on the thing that makes this valley bottom unique, they will sell them on the strength of our market town, but will attempt to turn us into a suburb. Once east Otley goes they will set about filling in the gap between Pool and Otley with more houses.

The battle has begun already: trees are being felled by those keen to sell on East Busk Lane, new fences have been erected to close footpaths between the east of Otley and Cambridge Estate, appeals have been launched to try to get momentum. Yet not a single extra amenity has been promised, no “unitary” transport plan to solve the inevitable traffic chaos mentioned, no changes to Otley health, sports, schooling planned.

If you want to get involved and voice your opposition either quietly or loudly or just find out more, visit theoddcampaign.webs.com.

Keith Sharkey, Otley

Where were the 1,760 voters who objected?

On Thursday April 7, 2011, Menston Parish Council held a referendum where residents were asked to vote on a proposal to urge Bradford Council to reject the plans for the Bingley Road and Derry Hill housing development. There was a massive turnout and there were 1,760 votes rejecting the proposal. Unfortunately this was a costly exercise with no legal standing.

However, on Thursday May 22, 2014, Dr Steve Ellams stood as the candidate in the local elections, for Menston Action Group, opposing the housing development. He polled 1,017, coming second to the Conservative candidate who polled 1,737 votes.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out the maths. If all the irate people who voted at the “token” referendum on April 7, 2011, had cast their vote for Dr Ellams in the election then we would have had an actual voice on the council. I wonder what message the Planning Committee will take from this rejection of Dr Ellams?

Mike Ripley, Brooklands Lane, Menston

Film society’s record went unmentioned

In your article about the Ilkley Film Festival, you quote the festival director, Martin Pilkington, who says: “Ilkley hasn’t had a cinema in years.” What he does not mention is that, for 45 years, Ilkley has had an extraordinarily successful Film Society, that (in the 2013/14 season, running from September to May) has shown 24 films to a near-professional standard at Ilkley Playhouse. Thanks to Ilkley Film Society, Ilkley film fans have been able to see a very wide range of films every other Sunday evening for nine months of the year.

I note Ilkley Film Festival’s ambition “to secure a permanent monthly high-quality cinema event in Ilkley.” Even then, the Film Festival will be showing fewer films than Ilkley Film Society.

Owen Wells, Eaton Road, Ilkley

Why should we put up with overflowing bins?

What a welcome to our lovely town – rubbish in the streets’ bins not emptied for five days, yes five days!

Rats have been seen near one of these overflowing bins. What do we pay rates for?

This town only has a litter-picker part-time. This would not happen in the centre of Leeds so why should the good folk of Otley have to put up with this?

I work in the private sector and if I do not do my job I would not be paid. Does the public sector live on the same planet?

Come on, council workers. Get your fingers out and do what you’re paid to do.

Alan Varney, Gay Lane, Otley

Thank you all...and let me help in the next four years

I wish to thank the electors of Horsforth and Rawdon for the trust they have placed in me by electing me to serve them for another four years.

During this term I shall concentrate on freeing our villages of through traffic and only allowing building where and when the infrastructure is added to first.

Working to bring the Ring Road into the 21st century and working for a new station on a new site with parking for the future, thereby reducing the discomfort many residents are suffering because of commuters. I shall, of course, be ready to ensure residents get the service they deserve from Leeds.

If there is a service failure do tell me so that I can get it fixed for you. E-mail brian.cleasby@leeds.gov.uk to contact me.

Brian Cleasby, Horsforth 

My pride and passion in a job that’s an honour 

I was humbled by the result – an increase in majority from the last local elections is, I believe, recognition for all the hard work that Coun Colin Campbell, Coun Sandy Lay and I put in all year round, backed up by our MP Greg Mulholland.

I would like to thank the people of Otley and Yeadon who continued to have trust and faith in us and voted for me.

I am really looking forward to representing the people of Otley and Yeadon for the next four years. It is an honour and one I shall do with pride and passion.

Ryk Downes, Otley and Yeadon

My gratitude – and now for the important job ahead

Following last Thursday’s local Council elections and my re-election to Bradford Metropolitan District Council, I should like to sincerely thank all those who voted for me and helped in any way to secure that vote.

I have been touched by the very many expressions of support and the very positive response I have received.

For all the people of Ilkley, I shall now continue, with my Conservative Party colleague Coun Martin Smith, the very important work of keeping and protecting Ilkley as a special place, both to live in and to visit.

Thank you again!

Councillor Mike Gibbons

I will work as hard as I can in all your interests

I would like to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the voters of Menston and Burley for electing me as their new councillor on Bradford District Council.

I wish to assure them, as well as the rest of the two communities who voted for other candidates, that I intend to represent all of the people of Menston and Burley and work as hard as I can in all their best interests.

I would also like to thank my fellow candidates for the fair and honest way they conducted themselves during the election campaign. I hope we can all work together for the benefit of our communities.

Gerry Barker

I’m looking forward to serving the community

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people of Craven for voting for me as their new independent ward councillor.

I should also like to thank my fellow independent candidates for their hard work for Craven, not just during election time but all year round.

I look forward to serving the community both locally and with a voice at district level.

Councillor Chris Atkinson

The support that I’ve been given has been amazing

I would like to thank everyone who supported me in the run-up to last week’s elections.

The support and help that I have had has been amazing. I would also like to thank all that turned out to vote.

Catherine Coates, Addingham

Wonderful to know I’m doing what you want

I would like to thank everyone who supported me with their vote last Thursday, returning me in such a positive way as a councillor for a second term.

It was really wonderful to know that what I have been doing for the last four years is what people want from their representatives and I will continue doing my very best for all the people in my ward.

Thank you, everyone.

Councillor Pat Latty, Guiseley and Rawdon