The Group to receive a report from the Head of Finance regarding the implementation of the new Waste and Recycling Scheme.
Minutes:
The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Finance regarding the new Refuse and Recycling Collection Scheme which was being implemented in two phases during 2015.
The report provided an update on the plans for the roll out as well as the budget.
The Head of Finance explained that the roll out for the first part of the changes had started and that almost 10,000 boxes for the collection of cardboard had been delivered. The first stage involved the addition to the existing collection service of mixed plastics and cardboard. The number of phone calls received by Customer Services had been low which indicated that the communication leaflets had been successful. He explained that the service changes had been necessary in order to enhance the collection service for the customer and to make savings. It was anticipated that the new scheme would bring savings of 20% to the Waste budget.
The Waste and Transport Manager explained that the project team were now working on phase two. This part of the scheme involved the weekly collection of food waste from a caddy and a chargeable service for the collection of garden waste.
Discussion took place regarding:
· The green boxes could be stacked and cardboard could be collected damp so a lid was not being supplied;
· Devon County Council were the waste disposal authority, so they held the contract for where the food waste and garden waste would be processed. The food waste and garden waste would continue to go to the In-Vessel Composter at Broadpath Landfill Site until March 2017 when the contract notice period would be complete;
· The risk that fly-tipping would increase when charges for garden waste were introduced. The Waste and Transport Manager informed the group that this had not been the case in other authorities where a charge had been implemented but would be monitored;
· The amount that customers would be charged had been set at an amount that was lower than the cost of running the service with the anticipated participation rate;
· That a customer could transfer their bin within the District if they moved house but there would be no refunds;
· The sale of sacks for those that could not accommodate a bin, or did not require a regular service.
It was RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:
a. The annual charge for fortnightly collections of Garden Waste from a 240L bin be set at £47.00.
(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr J D Squire)
b. The annual charge for fortnightly collections of Garden Waste from a 140L bin be set at £35.00.
(Proposed by Cllr R Evans and seconded by Cllr Mrs E J Slade)
c. The charge for sacks be set at £13.00 for a roll of 10.
(Proposed by Cllr J D Squire and seconded by Cllr Mrs R Berry)
d. Subject to the change of wording from ‘purchase’ to ‘subscribe’ in 3.4, and clarification regarding where sacks could be purchased from, the Terms and Conditions set out in Appendix B be adopted
(Proposed by Cllr Mrs N Woollatt and seconded by Cllr R Evans
Cllr R Wright requested that his vote against charging be recorded.
Note: - Report previously circulated and copy attached to Minutes.
Supporting documents: