Issue - meetings

Report to follow – this item will depend on the outcome of the Executive meeting on 16 October 2017.  Members are referred to the Executive agenda for further details.

The Chairman reminded Members that Essential Reference Paper “C” of this report contained exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, and advised that, if any Member wished to refer to any detail in this, then Council would need to pass a resolution to exclude the press and public. 

The Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space submitted a report considering the option of introducing a chargeable green waste service alongside a separate weekly food collection service.  He referred to the Executive’s decision of 16 October 2017 to award a joint waste collection and street cleansing contract based on the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).  He also referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s consideration of the chargeable green waste option at its meeting held on 12 September 2017 and advised that the additional information requested had been included in the report now submitted.

He reminded Members that collecting green waste was a discretionary service and that the Council’s financial position required Members to consider and make difficult choices to bridge the funding gap.  He acknowledged the difficulties that some people might have in meeting the proposed charge of £40 and that Officers would look at possible concessions as part of the budget cycle.  In respect of concerns expressed about the potential for additional fly-tipping or visits to waste centres, the Executive Member suggested that there was insufficient data to support these contentions.  Finally, he advised that North Herts Council had taken a decision to introduce a £40 charge for collecting green waste.

The Executive Member for Environment and the Public Space moved, and the Executive Member for Finance and Support Services seconded, the recommendations as detailed in the report submitted.

The Executive Member for Finance and Support Services referred to the Council’s financial plight and suggested that savings were needed to support other priorities.  Councillor M Freeman supported the recommendations and commented that the projected income was needed in order to avoid making hard choices in other important services.  Councillor D Andrews believed that most residents did not use this service and so were subsidising those that did.

Various Members spoke against the recommendations.  Councillor J Wyllie referred to his comments made at the Executive meeting on 16 October 2017 and believed charging would be a backward step for recycling.  Councillor N Symonds referred to the affordability issue for more vulnerable sections of the community.  Councillor Mrs R Cheswright believed charges would increase instances of fly-tipping.  Councillor H Drake described the proposal as a cut in service.  Councillor I Devonshire referred to his opposition to the proposals at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Councillor T Page referenced the general economic situation and the cumulative impact this would have on residents’ household budgets.  Councillor P Kenealy reminded Members that the outcome of the public consultation had been overwhelmingly against charging.

A recorded vote on recommendation (A) of the report submitted, having been requested by five Members, was taken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 230

The Head of Operations submitted a report outlining a proposal to introduce a chargeable green waste service alongside a weekly food collection prior to consideration of a joint waste contract with North Herts Council.  She provided a summary of the report.

Councillor G Cutting sought and was provided with clarification on how the service currently worked and the concept of a weekly food collection.  He expressed concern about the impact this would have on people living in flats and houses in multiple occupation.

The Waste Services Manager explained that 47% of all food waste was still wrapped and explained that food caddies would be collected weekly from a 3 litre container.  The Head of Operations reiterated how the current collections worked and explained that 30% of residents surveyed would either be very likely or quite likely to pay up to £40 a year for the service with 70% stating that they would be unlikely to take up the service.  The Head of Operations commented that an indicative sum of £35 was what other Hertfordshire authorities charged. 

Councillor H Drake stated that she felt that this was a reduction in service as food was already placed in the black bins.  Councillor N Symonds felt that the approach was being driven by the joint waste contract with North Herts who had yet to make a decision. 

The Waste Services Manager explained how the service could be applied in terms of people with disabilities and those living in flats and houses in multiple occupation and how operatives would know whose container to collect aided by stickers and PDAs.  He commented that the proposal would ensure that waste food was properly and safely composted and not disposed of in black bins which went to landfill.  In response to a query from the Chairman regarding modifications to vehicles, the Waste Services Manager explained that a new contract was about to begin and that Officers would need to review new vehicles.

Councillor G Cutting referred to the waste recycling site in Bishop’s Stortford and stated that its closure two days a week was very frustrating, adding that people visited the site not just to compost things but to dispose of rubble, furniture, etc.  He referred to the impact of more homes in Bishop’s Stortford and asked Officers to work with Hertfordshire County Council to facilitate more sociable opening hours before matters became acute.  The Head of Operations acknowledged the issues of the centre and assured Members that she was working with the Herts Waste Partnership to explore more effective ways to deliver the service. 

Members queried the driver behind this new green collection service.  The Head of Operations confirmed that this would contribute to the gap in the medium term financial plan and would facilitate a reduction in the amount of food waste that went to landfill which could be composted.

Councillor G Cutting stated he was not convinced about the need to provide this service adding that Members needed to be provided with more information  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151