Agenda item

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 and the result was as follows:

FOR

Councillors M Allen, D Andrews, R Brunton, E Buckmaster,

G Cutting, B Deering, M Freeman, J Goodeve, L Haysey,

R Henson, G McAndrew, M McMullen, M Pope, L Radford,

S Rutland-Barsby, T Stowe, G Williamson.

AGAINST

Councillors A Alder, P Ballam, P Boylan, S Bull, M Casey,

Mrs R Cheswright, I Devonshire, H Drake, B Harris-Quinney,

J Jones, P Kenealy, W Mortimer, T Page, S Reed, P Ruffles,

C Snowdon, S Stainsby, M Stevenson, N Symonds, J Taylor,

K Warnell, J Wyllie.

ABSTENTIONS:

Councillor C Woodward.

For: 17

Against: 22

Abstentions: 1

Council rejected the recommendation as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that the introduction of a chargeable green waste collection service alongside a weekly food collection service be rejected.