Agenda item

The Committee are asked to consider the report which summarises the draft policies and seeks their views to inform the proposals which will be presented to the Executive on 9 January 2020.

The Contracts Team Leader presented the report which summarised the draft policies and sought their views to inform proposals that would be presented to the Executive on 9 January 2020.

The Contracts Team Leader explained that from May next year, the Council would be moving from a kerbside box collection service for recycling to a wheelie bin collection service. The Committee were asked to consider each of the policies outlined in the report and the following discussion took place:

Recycling and Green Waste Contamination

The Contracts Team Leader explained that currently if any recycling was contaminated then it would not be taken by the collection crew and a card would be left informing the residents. With regard to the proposed policy, the Committee was informed that a tag would be left on the bin if there was contamination and if residents repeatedly contaminated within a rolling three month period then the bin would be removed from their property and replaced with clear plastic sacks allowing the collection crew to view what was inside.

A query was raised regarding magazines wraps made out of different materials such as potato starch and whether they could be recycled through green waste. The Contracts Team Leader explained that certain materials may be classed as recyclable however that did not necessarily mean the Council’s processor could break them down. It was agreed to check with the Council’s processor whether this material could be broken down.

Dry Recycling Bin Size / Excess Recycling

The Contracts Team Leader explained that the standard size of the bin being issued by the Council was 240 litres with a possibility if there was higher amounts of recycling to increase to a 360 litre bin or two 240 litre bins. It was also noted that in certain circumstances, residents could request a smaller 140 litre recycling bin.

With regard to excess recycling, the Committee was informed that with the exception of large cardboard boxes which had to be flattened down, all recycling had to be contained within the relevant recycling bin and no additional waste would be taken.

In response to a query raised around communal areas, the Contracts Team Leader explained there would be bespoke plans for each communal area.

Concern was raised at the possibility of the number of bins being left outside properties and becoming an eyesore. The Contracts Team Leader explained that they were aware of which areas may have this issue and were looking into solutions.

A query was raised regarding whether there would be guidance issued for planning applications to ensure space for bin storage was created in future developments. The Contracts Team Leader explained that the existing guidance document for developers would be updated as a result of the changes. It was also noted that the team were currently consulted on applications which involved the development of more than 3 properties.

A query was raised on whether communities with small spaces could have a mutual agreement to share recycling bins to save space. The Contracts Team Leader explained that this was possible and if Members were aware of any areas where space would be an issue, they should let the team know.

In response to a query concerning what would happen to communal properties that were not able to store the bins, the Contracts Team Leader explained that for such areas, they would need to remain on the two weekly collection cycle.

Assisted Collection Service

The Contracts Team Leader explained that assisted collections were offered to residents who were unable to take their bins out to be collected. Concerns were raised at the criteria proposed which had to be met if a resident wanted an assisted collection. It was felt this would make it more difficult for residents to request assisted collection and it was proposed and seconded that this criteria was removed from the policy. Upon being put to the vote, this was agreed.

Residual Waste Bins

The Contracts Team Leader explained that the policy proposed a reduction in the size of residual bins from 240 litres to 180 litres following benchmarking conducted with other authorities. It was also noted that the new recycling bins would result in 45% more capacity for residents compared to the previous system.  The Committee was informed that residents could still apply for larger bins if they were producing large quantities of non-hazardous medical waste or there were more than six people living in the property.

Discussion took place on the proposals and it was suggested that a voluntary move for residents to smaller bins should be implemented. The Contracts Team Leader explained that under the proposed policy all new or replacement bins would be 180 litres and the 240 bins would be phased out, however this would take a number of years.

Lane End Collections

The Contracts Team Leader explained that this policy set out how the Council collected waste from remote or rural properties. The Committee was informed that currently collection vehicles had to travel through poorly maintained and un-adopted roads to collect waste and this was proving difficult for vehicles. Therefore, the proposal was to move to lane end collections for areas with less than three properties however if there were more than four, then the collections could continue depending on if the criteria was met.

Concern was raised if there were frail or elderly people who were living in rural locations and were unable to move their bins for collection. The Contracts Team Leader explained that a number of other authorities had adopted similar policies and if there were any individuals who needed support then this would be done on a case by case basis.

The Committee suggested that any affected properties by the new proposal should be consulted on the changes and also made aware of the policy on assisted collections. After being proposed and second, this was put to the vote and agreed.

Missed Collections Policy

The Contracts Team Leader explained that currently there were no restrictions on timescales for residents to report a missed bin collection however it was noted that most residents reported these within 48 hours. The Committee was informed that the new proposed policy would set a deadline of 5pm on the second working day after the collection day to report a missed bin collection.

In response to a query on missed bin collections due to access, it was proposed that the last paragraph be amended in the policy to include wording related to access problems.

RESOLVED:

To note the draft waste and recycling policies and to provide the following comments as part of the policy development process;

·         To remove the additional criteria outlined in the proposed Assisted Collection Service policy.

·         To consult all affected properties by the proposed Lane End Collections policy.

·         To include wording in the last paragraph of the proposed Missed Collections policy relating to missed collections due to access issues.