A DISCUSSION into an Ansa waste hub report was cut short after a squabble between councillors.

At a meeting of Middlewich Town Council on Monday, July 17, members were invited to discuss a report produced by Cllr Bill Walmsley, Middlewich Town Council representative on the waste transfer site liaison panel.

But after a number of disagreements between Cllrs Walmsley and Mike Hunter over the nature of the report, the item was ended prematurely by Middlewich Town Mayor Samantha Moss.

Cllr Walmsley, in the report, said: “Members of the liaison panel are fully aware of the fact that I spoke against the planning application of the site.

“They are also aware of my qualifications in waste management and transport operations.

“I asked questions relating to hours of operation, transport management, carbon footprint and routing of bin wagons.”

Cllr Jonathan Parry, who started the discussion, said: “To me this report is a bit confusing.

“As far as I know the panel is not fulfilling its quota as there are no near neighbour consultees and this report is not telling me anything.

“The main information is regards to work that you could see if you looked over the fence and it’s stuff that people are not interested in.”

Cllr Bill Walmsley said: “This is the first time we have produced a report. I ask what the previous representative was doing and why there has not been a near neighbour consultee suggested to come along.

“We now have a councillor on the liaison panel who has the relevant qualifications.”

Cllr Parry nominated Cllr Hunter to be a near neighbour consultee on the liaison panel. Cllr Walmsley agreed to ask the committee at the next meeting.

Cllr Mike Hunter added: “To be honest this doesn’t answer anything that the public wants to know.

“We need answers to a number of questions such as the cost of this to residents which we know is an obvious concern.

“I have read into Cllr Walmsley’s past in waste working for Cheshire East Council so I believe he has a vested interest in it.”

After a number of warnings by the town mayor, she was eventually forced to end the discussion and move onto the next item in the agenda.

The next meeting liaison panel meeting will be held on August 10.