Issue - meetings

Arising from a report of the Head of Finance, the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group had recommended that Council approve the following:

a)        That the Waste and Recycling Enforcement Policy be adopted, subject to the following amendments:

i)       Waste and recycling should not be put out for collection any earlier than 6.00pm the evening before collection and no later than 6.00am on the morning of collection;

ii)    Cut flowers and house plants could be disposed of in the blue food waste container;

iii)   Removal of the statement that waste could be put out for collection in ‘black sacks provided by the council’.

b)        That the level of Fixed Penalty Notice for not recycling be set at £75 with a reduction to £50, if paid within 14 days and where fixed penalty notices were not paid prosecution would be pursued

c)         That power to serve s46 Environmental Protection Act Notices be delegated to the Head of Finance.

Arising from a report of the Head of Finance, the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group had recommended that Council approve the following:

a)        That the Waste and Recycling Enforcement Policy be adopted, subject to the following amendments:

i)       Waste and recycling should not be put out for collection any earlier than 6.00pm the evening before collection and no later than 6.00am on the morning of collection;

ii)    Cut flowers and house plants could be disposed of in the blue food waste container;

iii)   Removal of the statement that waste could be put out for collection in ‘black sacks provided by the council’.

b)        That the level of Fixed Penalty Notice for not recycling be set at £75 with a reduction to £50, if paid within 14 days and where fixed penalty notices were not paid prosecution would be pursued.

c)         That power to serve s46 Environmental Protection Act Notices be delegated to the Head of Finance.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment outlined the changes that were taking place within the waste service and the need for a robust enforcement policy.  Enforcement would only be taken as a last resort with officers encouraging and educating those people who chose not to recycle. The aim of the policy was to help educate the public on the new scheme so that as much material could be recycled as possible.  He felt that the scheme was fair and workable.

Discussion followed with regard to:

·         How problem areas would be identified and reported and the three steps to rubbish and recycling enforcement as identified in the report.

·         Enforcement with regard to littering.

·         An email from Honorary Alderman Attlee regarding issues at Hemyock; it was agreed that the Head of Service contact Mr Attlee.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note:  *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.

To receive a report from the Head of Finance regarding the Waste and Recycling Enforcement Policy for the start of the new Collection Scheme commencing in October2015. 

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Finance regarding a proposed Waste and Recycling Enforcement Policy.

The Waste and Transport Manager introduced the new District Officer to the Group, explaining that this officer had been appointed to assist with the draft and implementation of the policy.  He explained that the main aim of the policy was to improve education regarding recycling so that as much material as possible could be recycled.

He informed the Group that every effort would be made to educate the public and that enforcement would only be used as a last resort when people were not recycling at all.  A specific procedure had been put in place, including the issue of leaflets, letters and formal notices before a fixed penalty notice would be issued.  Legislation to allow this had been in place since 1990 but had not been used by the Authority.

The Officer explained that just a 1% increase to tonnage recycled could generate savings of up to £10k, at no cost to the authority and with benefits to the environment.

Discussion took place regarding:

·         Previous research had shown that up to 50% of waste in black sacks could have been recycled;

·         Officer time spent dealing with enforcement of recycling would result in less officer time being spent dealing with dog fouling and littering issues;

·         Care providers and housing associations should be contacted in order that carers were educated on waste and recycling.

 It was AGREED that the draft policy be amended to show that:

1.    Waste and recycling should not be put out for collection any earlier than 6.00pm the evening before collection and no later than 6.00am on the morning of collection;

2.    Cut flowers and house plants could be disposed of in the blue food waste container;

3.    Removal of the statement that waste could be put out for collection in ‘black sacks provided by the council’.

It was RECOMMENDED to cabinet that:

Council approve the following:

a.    That the Waste and Recycling Enforcement Policy be adopted, subject to the following amendments, be adopted - 

i)Waste and recycling should not be put out for collection any earlier than 6.00pm the evening before collection and no later than 6.00am on the morning of collection;

ii) Cut flowers and house plants could be disposed of in the blue food waste container;

iii) Removal of the statement that waste could be put out for collection in ‘black sacks provided by the council’.

b.    That the level of Fixed Penalty Notice for not recycling be set at £75 with a reduction to £50, if paid within 14 days and where fixed penalty notices were not paid prosecution would be pursued

c.    That power to serve s46 Environmental Protection Act notices be delegated to the Head of Finance.

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Note: - * Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes