The Strategic Director (Environment & Sport) will present a report (Document “H”) which provides a report to the Committee on the performance of Waste Services for the year 2015-16.

Recommended –

That the Committee acknowledge the report on the performance of Waste Services in 2015/16 and continue to support Waste Services in their efforts to improve the management of the Local Authority Collected Waste and the services provided to the public.

(Richard Longcake – 01274 432855)

The Strategic Director (Environment & Sport) presented a report (Document “H”) which provided a report to the Committee on the performance of Waste Services for the year 2015-16.

He provided a detailed breakdown of the report which highlighted an increase in waste levels in the final quarter of the year, most probably as a result of the Boxing Day floods in the District. He also highlighted that a reduction in the level of recycling was not the result of lower kerbside collections but rather that the level of recyclates had been affected by a depressed market and a resultant reluctance to take such material on the part of contractors. Changes to the type of material permitted as compost by the Environment Agency had also resulted in the overall recycling performance dropping by 10%.

A change to reporting procedures had also resulted in a dramatic change to the amount of household waste not being sent for recycling or composting, rather than a change in behaviours.

The Strategic Director also noted that there was a new performance indicator in respect of missed bin collections as a measure of how the service was performing.

In response to a question from the Chair, he advised that the figure shown represented all missed collections for various reasons including parking problems preventing access or a collection happening later in the day than expected. He also explained that if a crew found their access blocked by inconsiderate parking, another attempt to collect would be made later in the day or the next day.

Members then questioned or commented on the report and presentation as follows:-

·        Were there targets for the contractor in terms of recyclates ?

·        Had the new reporting method in respect of household waste not sent for recycling or composting been applied in retrospect to previous years ?

·        Did the report show a decline in waste going to landfill ?

·        What measures were undertaken to avoid a repeat of a missed collection due to inconsiderate parking ?

·        Did the service consult with residents on best days to collect ?

·        Did the service publicise the possibility of larger families having larger bins ?

In response, the Director advised that there were currently no targets for contractors as the contracts were interim; he also clarified that the method of calculation for household waste not sent for recycling or composting had always been correct however the definition used had not been clear. This meant that pervious year’s measurements had been correct.

In response to the query in respect of an apparent decline in waste going to landfill, he advised that the figure also took into account waste which was sent for thermal conversion and that this explained the figure shown.  

He went on to explain the process for dealing with missed collections due to lack of access, including attendance on site by the service manager, consultation with local residents, standard correspondence and enlisting the help of neighbourhood wardens. He also confirmed that routes had been developed to avoid difficult places and time such as school and mosque hours and that routes were still in the early stages of usage and could be amended. He advised that the policy in respect of bin size was that larger bins could be issued to a household of seven or more. As only one bin per household could be emptied, the use of a recycling bin was also recommended. A great deal of publicity in respect of the new collection methods had been undertaken and as a result the levels of non-compliance and enforcement were decreasing. 

A Member commented that, despite the progress made on such issues, the basic message of the cost to the Council of waste collection had not hit home with residents and that people needed to be much more aware of the costs involved and the positive impact of recycling and reducing waste. He considered that, although the process was now very efficient it still did not fundamentally change how people viewed their waste.

The Director concurred and undertook to include consideration of that issue in his forthcoming report to the Committee.

A Member stated that the service was fantastic and that on the whole people managed their bins well, however there were a small number of bins that were left in the street permanently and he asked how those were dealt with. In response the Director advised that as the introduction of the collection policy was still very new, issues such as these were still being dealt with and that help would be provided wherever possible. He advised that very few enforcement notices had to be issued and that most people who received one complied immediately.

In response to a question about fly-tipping hotspots, members were advised that it was still too early in the new system to draw conclusions.

Members also asked questions in respect of littering as a result of uncontained waste and about assisted collections and were advised that the design of the household waste bins was pest proof but that side waste was subject to attacks from animals and was easily blown about in windy conditions. They were also advised of the circumstances where assistance with collection was offered.

Resolved –

That the report on the performance of Waste Services in 2015/16 be welcomed and Waste Services be supported in their efforts to improve the management of the Local Authority Collected Waste and the services provided to the public.

ACTION: Strategic Director (Environment & Sport)