Agenda and minutes

To note the terms of reference for the Panel that were agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 16 July 2019.

The Panel noted its Terms of Reference which had been agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 16 July 2019.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 4 November 2019.

The notes of the meeting of the Task and Finish Panel held on 4 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendment from Councillor C C Pond, to read at Min no (2c), paragraph 3, opening sentence:

“There was no uniformity amongst members for not collecting garden waste in certain months of the year.”

Councillor D Wixley observed that there was only one bin where people could recycle litter in Bricklamps Path (Loughton). Furthermore, The Broadway (Loughton) did not have recyclable bins (Min no 9 (2e)).

The work programme for the Panel that was agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 16 July 2019, is attached as an appendix to this agenda.

The work programme was noted.

(Service Director (Contracts & Technical Services)) To consider the attached report.

(a)       To provide further information for a third wheelie bin District-wide

The Service Manager (Contracts), J Warwick, introduced the next steps on the options detailed in the report. Research into wheelie bin contamination levels with other neighbouring authorities had proved to be difficult as comparison data had not been forthcoming. Accurate implementation costs (operational and contractual) would be required from Biffa. The next step for members was to decide whether to pursue the option of a third wheelie bin through the Waste Management Partnership Board and an innovation forum. An innovation forum could be formed at the discretion of the Board, which would consist of officers from Biffa and the Council.

Councillor M Sartin remarked that during the tour of Biffa’s Edmonton depot in September, it was discovered that there were greater levels of contamination in wheelie bins. Therefore, Biffa needed to provide information on the contamination levels to help the Panel reach a decision. Councillor C C Pond also agreed with this observation.

The Service Director (Contracts & Technical Services), Q Durrani, advised that very few local authorities achieved an income from recycling, and they had not been willing to share such information because of the sensitivity of the data as it was not in the public domain. The cost of sacks was rising and although the cost of bins was initially higher, people tended to use a bin more, thus bin based collections captured more recycling. This would need to go to an Innovation Forum for consideration and Cabinet would need to look at the business case. There could be a caveat that subject to a viable financial and environmental business case, the Council would have a third wheelie bin.

Councillor M Sartin replied that the Panel would only be interested in the figures, not the local authority that had sent the information, so the data could be anonymous.

Councillors C C Pond and S Neville agreed that members needed a forward projection of costs otherwise members could not make any accurate evaluation.

Councillor S Rackham remarked that elderly residents preferred to use a bin and that more vermin were attracted to the recycling sacks.

Councillor D Wixley commented that not one size fitted all and that some elderly residents might need assisted collections.

Councillor C McCredie said that elderly people were less able to access distribution outlets for the sacks, and Councillor C C Pond added that sacks used to be delivered to residents.

Councillor S Neville advised that commercially sensitive information could be restricted when an agenda was published. There were merits for both ways of collecting recyclable waste but scrutiny needed to be undertaken on a third wheelie bin.

The Service Director (Contracts & Technical Services) said that contamination of wheelie bins had not been reported as a major issue. Sacks were stickered if they were contaminated. More work needed to be done over the next six months and it might be that too much work was required so this could be revisited in one or two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To note that this was the final scheduled meeting of the Panel, as the Task and Finish Panel’s recommendation is due to go forward to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 28 January 2020.

A further meeting of the Panel was organised for 27 February 2020 at 7.00pm.