Ribble Valley Borough Council leader at the Council meeting stated his opposition to the closure by the Lancashire County Council of the Petre Arms and Padiham waste disposal sites.
In answer to a question Councillor Michael Ranson indicated that'' he had always been opposed to the closures and was on record as stating his position.''
On behalf of the Conservatives in the Ribble Valley Vice Chairman Ken Hind indicated,
'' Our councillors in the areas affected , Reed and Simonstone , Whalley, Wilpshire , Langho, Mellor, Clayton le Dale, and Billington lobbied hard to oppose the policy. Councillors Stuart Hirst, David Eccleston -Wilpshire ; Lois Rimmer , Mike Thomas - Langho, Terry Hill, Joyce Holgate -Whalley ; Carl Ross ,Graham Geldard -Billington ;John Hill , John Waddington -Reed and Simonstone, Noel Walsh and Stella Brunskill -Mellor and Doreen Taylor and Peter Ainsworth -Clayton Le Dale , have all spoken out strongly against the closures.
''The Conservative group of Councillors on the Borough Council are united in their opposition to these proposals. This is a decision that has been made by the Lancashire County Council who argued that in this time of austerity that they need to reduce the costs of the Council, rationalise some services and keep down the council tax. The decision unfortunately was not in our hands. .''
'' Conservative County Councillor Chris Holtom (Ribble Valley South West),led the Conservative opposition spoke out against the proposals. Despite requests to revisit the decision by Borough Councillors, the County Council have decided the issue will not be re-opened. The sites will be closed on the 31st March 2011. At the moment the Borough Councillors are looking at ways to inform the public on alternative sites and deal with of the main problem, the disposal of green garden waste. The council remains committed to it's policy of recycling of domestic and green waste.''
''There are waste disposal sites at Clitheroe , Great Harwood , Whinney Hill ,and Bank Top Blackburn (nearest for Wilpshire and Mellor.) that will remain open for the public and provide the service provided by the waste disposal sites to be closed.''