Agenda and minutes

To note that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has appointed Councillor L Burrows as Chairman of the Panel and Councillor S Rackham as Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had appointed Councillor L Burrows as Chairman and Councillor S Rackham as the Vice-Chairman of the Panel.

To note the Terms of Reference for the Panel that was agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 16 July 2019.

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

(1)          That the Panel consider the likely impact of any government decision following the recently concluded Resource and Waste Strategy Consultation;

(2)          That the Panel consider:

(a)          the possibility of exploring the introduction of a third wheeled-bin to replace the current clear recycling sacks for the collection of dry recycling materials;

(b)          the future collection of food and garden waste in separate containers and the option of charging for the collection of garden waste;

(c)           the possibility of not collecting garden waste in certain months of the year when demand was low;

(d)          the pressure on the waste collection contract due to the issues around the sale of recycling materials after processing;

(e)          a review of street cleansing arrangements with a view to achieve improvements in cleansing standards;

(f)            improvements in the provision of waste and recycling containers and cleansing operations on the high street, including the segregation of recycling materials; and

(g)          other relevant matters related to the review of the Council’s waste and recycling service.

Aims and Objectives:

(1)          To report findings to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and to submit final recommendations for consideration by the Committee at its meeting on 28 January 2020;

(2)          To gather evidence and information in relation to the Terms of Reference through receipt of data, presentations and other means considered necessary; and

(3)          To have due regard to relevant legislation and the Overview and Scrutiny rules of the Constitution (Article 6).

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

The Service Director (Contracts and Technical Services), Q Durrani, and Service Manager (Contracts), J Warwick, were in attendance.

The establishment of a new Task and Finish Panel to support the forthcoming review of the Council’s waste and recycling service, had been agreed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 4 June 2019. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had agreed the Panel’s Terms of Reference, work programme and the committee membership on 16 July 2019.

(a)          Resource and waste strategy consultation

Following public consultations of the Government’s Resource and Waste strategy that had looked at how the industry worked and its waste management, the Panel was asked to consider the likely impact of any Government decision. The Council had responded to the consultations in May 2019, which had been published in the Council Bulletin. However, a change in leadership to the Prime Minister might delay the results of the consultations and the latest Government update was looking to implement recommendations by 2023.

It was agreed:

(1)          That the recommendation be noted there would be no further action on this until the Government published the results of the consultations;

(2)          That Waste Management would circulate updates to the Panel; and

(3)          That one such update had already been circulated.

(b)          Third wheelie bin option

The introduction of a third wheelie bin to replace the clear recycling sacks for the collection of dry recyclable materials raised several issues amongst the members. These included:

·      That more sacks could be put out for collection than could be accommodated within the capacity of a wheelie bin;

·      That flexibility was required as many houses might not have the room for an extra bin;

·      That new properties usually only had storage spaces allocated for two bins therefore, it was not practical to increase it to three wheelie bins;

·      That there was an increasing trend of youngsters setting fire to wheelie bins;

·      That the Council could consider involving residents in a consultation rather than for this to be a ‘fait accompli’;

·      That residents would actually have five bins – food, glass, recycling, garden waste and residual;

·      That Epping Forest Re-Use regularly held campaigns and met with Essex Recycling officers; and

·      That some wheelie bins had containers inside the bin to enable the separation of waste.

Q Durrani explained that data had suggested that local authorities (LAs) who used bins collected more recycling. Most of the top twenty LAs nationally all had a wheelie bin. Bins were convenient, easy to use and within the property. However, there was a convenient side, inconvenient side (sacks could split and the contents blown/scattered across the road), and cost side (continual cost of the sacks).

Waste Management would be looking at the evidence, workability and business case to give the Panel the cost implications and parameters on the option of a third wheelie bin. If members agreed on the business case, which would be provided at the next meeting, this would go to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, then on to Cabinet. He reminded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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.

Councillor S Rackham suggested members could undertake their own relevant internet research.

To note that future meetings of the Panel will be held at 7.00pm on:

·                     11 November 2019; and

·                     16 December 2019.

It was noted that future meetings of the Panel would be held at 7.00pm on:

·      11 November 2019; and

·      16 December 2019.

However, as a Harlow and Gilston Garden Town meeting was also being held on 11 November, members asked for an alternative date in November for the next meeting.