A NUMBER of letters about Beckfield Lane tip provide only a partial focus in understanding the recent decision on its future.

The site requires more than £2 million of investment to make it suitable for use.

The narrow entrance has never been suitable and it is an issue Coun Horton and I, as ward councillors, are often contacted about by local residents.

Inside the site, residents have to climb steps to put items into skips, which is deemed neither good practice nor safe; there is no compactor, so far less can be put in the skips before emptying and security has always been an issue for the site.

This all contributes to high running costs, which are no longer affordable.

In tough times councillors have to decide which services we can keep, when the Government is forcing the council to make £20 million of savings due to funding cuts to the council over next two years.

This decision has to be put into perspective, and that is deciding whether to keep open libraries, children’s centres and services for vulnerable residents or Beckfield Lane Tip.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour, Acomb ward.