Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

Jenny Carpenter, Chair and Peter Sutherland, Vice Chair of Llanbadoc Community Council attended the meeting to raise the following three points:

1.    Information was sought on the progress and outcomes arising from the Road Safety workshop held earlier in the year.  The Head of Operations responded that it was a positive workshop that has resulted in a draft speed management strategy.  This will now be considered by Area Committees in January 2019 and then the revised procedure will be returned to the authority.  A Member advised that the draft report does not as yet contain any updates from the workshop.

2.    Clarification was sought on the proposals to improve the working relationship between County and Town and Community Councils and proposed engagement.  It was responded that this will be considered by Area Committees. 

3.    It was commented that there had been no response to several requests regarding grant applications which was problematic due to deadlines.  The Chief Officer Enterprise agreed to pick this matter up with the member of staff concerned.  Advice was provided that Town and Community Councils may contact the Members’ Secretaries who will assist in chasing responses as necessary.  A separate response will be provided outside of the meeting.

The Chair thanked the representatives of Llanbadoc Community Council for their hard work, attendance and contribution to the meeting.

Purpose:

This report seeks to update members on savings, reduction in costs and potential for

increased income generation as a result of changes to the types of bag we use to collect recycling.

Key Issues:

The key issues are for the Select Committee to undertake pre-decision scrutiny ahead of recommendations to the Cabinet Member for Operations to

1. Approve the move to reusable bags for dry recycling to improve the quality of recyclate achieve savings and maximise income generation; and

2. Approve the use of recycled plastic bags for food waste collections to improve the quantity of food waste being reprocessed and achieve savings in support of budget pressures.

Member Scrutiny:

The Head of Waste and Street Scene introduced the report and provided a presentation.  Following the presentation, Members were invited to ask questions and to comment on recycling collection:

1.    A Member questioned why the lead authority of the 3-county arrangement has not attended a Strong Communities Select Committee meeting.  An offer of a presentation from the Chief Officer Enterprise and Officers from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council on Joint Waste Procurement at a future meeting made by the Chief Officer Enterprise was made and accepted.

2.    The Chair asked for information about the changes to the recycling market in recent years since the introduction of the cellulose bags.  It was responded that the recent recycling review highlights that contaminated recyclate will be less desirable to the market.

3.    A Glass trial has taken place over a wide area in the County where glass is collected separately and returned to Cwmbran to be recycled which will save costs.   Outside of the trial area, glass is collected in the purple bags, split sorted and returned for recycling.

4.    In response to a question it was explained that the existing bags would remain in circulation until approximately May 2019.

5.    A Member questioned the suitability of the proposed larger capacity bags for elderly and infirm residents. The Select Committee was informed that smaller bags can be provided as necessary and there is also an assisted service available.  Residents that need help to recycle will be supported as necessary. A reference will be added to the Wellbeing of Future Generations Assessment.

6.    A question was asked residents in flats and replied that communal bin collection points would be made available where separate recyclate will be deposited.  Non-compliance will be dealt with by education first then through enforcement action being taken.

7.    A Member queried if the views of staff have been taken into account and it was explained that some staff are in favour of the new bags, others are concerned about the longer rounds.  Training has been undertaken including customer care. 

8.    It was confirmed that the number of bags for collection will be limited because one bag will be delivered.  There is flexibility for e.g. larger families.  It was confirmed that abuse of the current bags is common, with evidence of them being used for many purposes.

9.    It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Purpose:

This report seeks Members’ views on the procurement activity in relation to the management of our Household Waste & Recycling Centres HWRC, future

provision of the sites and the introduction of a permit scheme for Monmouthshire residents.

Key Issues:

·         Council budgets are under increasing pressure and services must look to innovative and new ways to achieve savings or deliver services with reduced funding. Monmouthshire has an excellent recycling rate record but we must be aware of changes in markets, public perception and the political landscape as well as innovation and legislative context when considering service changes.

            This is an opportunity for the Strong Communities Select Committee to      scrutinise proposals to:

1.    Introduce of a resident permit scheme for use at the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) sites;

2.    Introduce day closures as set out in report:

3.    Continue procurement and related activities in relation to the

HWRC sites and to present the options to Council for decision following full analysis.

4.    Consider options for full closure of HWRC sites (in particular the Usk HWRC given operational issues and usage),acknowledging that the authority is legally required to only offer one site within the county, and to agree what proposals to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Operations.

Member Scrutiny:

The Head of Waste and Street Scene introduced the report, welcoming the scrutiny of the Select Committee before consideration by full Council.  Questions and comments were invited, as follows:

Introduction of a resident permit scheme:

1.    Members were in agreement with a measure to reduce non-resident use of HWRC sites and the consequent savings to keep sites open for residents.

2.    Members were in favour of a visible resident permit displayed on a vehicle dashboard or hooked over the rear view mirror on entry to a site and suggested that the permit was distributed in the most cost effective manner e.g. via Council Tax demands.  In response to a question, it was confirmed that a resident could present alternative photo identification if the permit was lost or unavailable.

3.    Members suggested that out of county border residents could be offered the option to buy an annual or single use permit for economic, convenience and environmental reasons. It was agreed that handling money on site was not feasible.

4.    A Member requested clear signage to explain the sites are for the use of Monmouthshire residents only, opening times and rules.  It was confirmed that the changed arrangements would be publicised through a marketing strategy, signage and the availability of site attendants to provide advice.

Upon being put to the vote, the recommendation to introduce a resident permit scheme for use at the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) sites was unanimously supported by the Select Committee.

Day/full closure of sites/Procurement:

1.    A Member was not in favour of the closure of Usk or Mitchel Troy HWRC sites and was concerned, in particular, that all three options included the closure of the Usk site which is a valued and well-used facility. The Local Member agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed and signed by the Chair as a true and correct record.

The Action list was noted.  In doing so the following matters were discussed:

Litter Strategy: Arrangements to be made to work with schools – an update on progress will be sent to Select Committee Members by e mail.

The Strong Communities Forward Work Programme was noted.

The Chair had met with officers regarding modern day slavery and trafficking and it was decided that this important topic will be the subject of an all Members’ workshop

A Member asked that the costs of funerals (Cremations and Burials) should be added to the programme.  It was agreed that an invitation would be sent out to all Members to meet informally to discuss this matter.

It was confirmed that the next meeting would be exclusively to conduct budget scrutiny.

The attention of Select Committee Members was drawn to the proposals for a collaboratively provided Post Office service in Usk.  The matter will be presented to Cabinet on 19^th December 2018 and Select Committee Members were encouraged to provide comment.

Thursday 31^st January 2019 at 10.00am.