“I am more than confident we have saved Glossop tip"

Glossop tip could remain open after a councillor says he is "more than confident" a robust financial case to prevent its closure has been made to Derbyshire County Council. 

County Councillor Jason Isherwood believes that his work with procurement expert and campaigner Colin Cram has secured the case for keeping the facility open. 

The pair have spent months scrutinising the authority’s figures and developing alternative savings proposals. 

Following a two-and-a-half-hour meeting with the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor John Lawson, on 29th October, Councillor Isherwood says that the evidence was received constructively. 

Cllr Isherwood said that Cllr Lawson will now share Colin's analysis and proposals with Cabinet Member for Environment Councillor Carol Wood and relevant council officers. 

Councillor Isherwood said: 

“I am more than confident we have saved Glossop tip. 

"Colin and I have spent months scrutinising the figures, challenging assumptions and developing alternatives to closure. We have done the work and put a detailed financial case before the council. 

“I went into this meeting determined to demonstrate that savings can be made while keeping this essential service open. I came away confident that we have provided a credible route to achieving that. 

“John gave us a thorough hearing and engaged constructively with the evidence. His agreement to take our work forward to Carol Wood and Council officers is an important step towards securing the outcome Glossopdale residents deserve. 

“The formal decision still rests with Cabinet. My confidence is clear: we have made the case to keep Glossop tip open, and I expect that case to be reflected in the decision.” 

Cllr Isherwood told the Glossop Chronicle that the proposals draw extensively on the Council’s own published figures and information disclosures, analysed by Colin Cram using his procurement expertise. 

They identify opportunities to review contract charges and operating arrangements, improve the separation of recyclable materials, expand reuse to reduce disposal costs, and explore agreements with neighbouring authorities over cross-boundary use. 

He said that the analysis distinguishes between savings already reported by the Council and further opportunities requiring assessment. 

Councillor Isherwood said: 

“The Council has to make savings. I have taken that responsibility seriously by bringing forward alternatives that protect a service residents rely on. 

“This is a detailed challenge based on figures, evidence and practical proposals. Residents deserve councillors who will get into the detail and fight for a solution. That is exactly what Colin and I have done. 

“Officers must now assess the proposals properly, establish the net savings and delivery timetable, and account for implementation costs without counting savings already committed. 

“The closure proposal must face the same scrutiny. Contractual consequences, transition costs, displaced waste and access for residents all belong in that calculation. 

“I expect the Council to turn this work into a deliverable savings plan that keeps Glossop tip open.” 

The Council’s budget plans included a saving associated with the closure proposal. Cabinet’s final decision remains outstanding and must take account of the consultation findings, equalities impact assessment, and financial and professional advice. 

Councillor Isherwood added: 

“Colin deserves enormous credit for the time, expertise and persistence he has brought to this effort. His analysis has helped us put a substantial, evidence-based case before the Council. 

“I have been determined to protect Glossop tip, and I am confident our work has made the difference. 

“Now I want Cabinet to confirm that outcome: withdraw the closure proposal, deliver the savings and keep Glossop tip open.”