Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made by Members.

Context:

The purpose of the meeting is to provide Select Committee with the opportunity to scrutinise the final proposals for the future of recycling collections prior to submission to Cabinet in March 2017.  All Members were invited to attend the meeting and were permitted to participate throughout the meeting.

Key Issues:

The proposals under consideration are:

i.          That the principles of the existing recycling service (red and purple bags    collected weekly) be maintained;

ii.          That glass be collected fortnightly in a separate container (green box)

            a)         Where a residents raise concern over ability to carry a box the service                   will offer a green caddy (similar to the outside food waste caddy) and if                        needed further assistance; 

iii.         Food and green waste will be collected separately as previously approved;

iv.        That grey bags are re-introduced for residual waste;

v.         That changes are introduced between April – July 2018;

vi.        That revenue savings generated from the service change cover the cost of           prudential borrowing to allow capital expenditure e.g. changes to the Transfer      Stations, purchase of boxes etc.;

vii.        That Cabinet give approval so the procurement process for the new fleet and        design and construction of the Transfer Stations can begin;

viii.       Delegate approval for decision making to the Head of Waste & Street        Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member & S151 Officer on any      technical details, subject to changes remaining within the existing funding           envelope of the service; and

ix.        That Select Committee and Cabinet receive a report on implementation of the       service changes after July 2018 quantifying the full benefits and cost incurred           and modelled cost of the service for its proposed 7 year life. 

Member Scrutiny:

In response to a query, it was confirmed that Welsh Government officials are in agreement with the proposed approach in recognising residents’ views.  The good response rates to the survey were acknowledged.

A question was asked and it was confirmed that the premises costs refer to business rates for depots, Usk and CA sites, water and electricity.

It was queried and confirmed that the majority of Welsh Councils alter their collection dates for bank holidays.

A Member commented that 20% of recycling issues are related to a failure to recycle food waste properly and that there is therefore a need for further engagement with the public regarding contamination.  It was understood that there was also contamination in the red and purple bags resulting in 10% being rejected.  It was queried if there was a way to reclaim the contaminated bags to make fit for recycling. 

In response, it was the acknowledged that food waste and residual waste are in the highest quantum after general waste (items that can’t be recycled).  It was confirmed that food recycling was a priority for the Communications Team in future, noting that there is a percentage of residents who are happy to recycle but don’t want to recycle food. It was explained that the 8-10% reject statistic was below average; most other co-mingled authorities have a 15-20% rejection rate.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.