Agenda item

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report on the current performance on Waste Services (refuse and recycling, street cleansing) and Grounds Maintenance.  A presentation was provided outlining the highlights achieved over the last 12 months.

Councillor E Buckmaster congratulated Officers on the report and the positive results achieved.  He queried what had been done to ensure the public knew what they could and could not recycle, especially in respect of the changes to soft plastics.  The Head of Environmental Services outlined what steps had been taken to create public awareness including placing “stickers” on the blue lidded bins.

Councillor R Beeching said that he was pleased to see that the litter along the A414 had been removed before the grass verge had been cut.  He also referred to the income achieved regarding commercial waste collection versus the issue of the cost of its disposal.  He further referred to a recent dog chipping event he had attended and queried how the Council could work with other vets in the area to build on this work.  Finally, he also referred to the Rivers Orchard and asked whether the Council could cut the grass there. 

The Head of Environmental Services agreed to write to Members regarding the costs of disposing of commercial waste and confirmed that the Council has made a “small surplus”.  He confirmed that the Council worked with a number of vets and the Dogs Trust and was trying to get as many dogs chipped before the new law came into effect in 2016.  The Head of Environmental Services outlined the background to the Rivers Orchard and confirmed that as this land was in private ownership, the Council could not cut the grass.  Councillor E Buckmaster commented that he was sure that Sawbridgeworth Town Council would cover the costs of the grass cut once a year.

Councillor B Wrangles referred to increases in fly-tipping and the possibility there might be a knock on effect on East Hertfordshire, if the Hoddesdon Recycling Centre was to close.  The Head of Environmental Services agreed that the increase in fly tipping was not “good news” and referred to the positive results of partnership working with the Police and other agencies, in terms of “Stop and Search” initiatives.  In relation to the possible closure of Hoddesdon Recycling Centre, he stated that Hertfordshire County Council was only at the consultation stage and that Officers would respond at the appropriate time.

Councillor D Abbott referred to the fact that 800 properties could not accommodate blue lidded recycling bins.  The Head of Environmental Services explained why this had not been possible, due to the terraced nature of the properties or being sited on a steep hill and that this number was separate to any issue with communal properties (flats). He added that the service was trying to roll out kerbside recycling to as wide a number of flats as possible.  In response to a query from Councillor R Beeching about the possible use of red or yellow sacks for those properties without blue lidded bins, the Head of Environmental Services confirmed that these householders were happy to use a recycling box.

The Committee received the report.

RESOLVED – that the current performance of the Council’s main environment management term contracts be noted.