Agenda item

The Committee considered the report presented by the Assistant Business Manager - Waste Management, which provided a review of the Council’s Waste Strategy and proposed amendments to principles and policies.

The Assistant Business Manager informed Members of an amendment to Policy 18 which had been recorded as no change.  The Policy should have read amended, as the Council would continue to offer trade waste recycling services to businesses across the district.

A Member commented on Policy 4 which had reduced any replacement residual bin to households of up to two residents with a 140 litre bin.  This was considered not acceptable and the residents should have the right to a like for like replacement or the opportunity to reduce their bin size at their request.  It was also felt that the reduction in bin size would increase fly tipping.  The Assistant Business Manager explained that the current scheme was to encourage people to recycle and lower the Council’s waste.

A Member commented that the 2006 policy was written in relation to providing bins to new residents.  Current residents could have a like for like replacement whilst new residents of which the district had 273 new properties in the previous year, would be provided with a 140 litre bin unless they could show a need for a 240 litre bin.  The aim of the new policy was to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

The Assistant Business Manager confirmed that whilst he understood the logic behind the suggestion he would be reluctant to have a two tier system.  The policy had always been to provide residents with the bin that they required for the size of the household.

The Chairman commented that there was work required regarding educating the district’s residents on recycling, as everyone seemed unclear as to what could be recycled and the Council also needed to improve their recycling rates.  Clarification regarding the sticker scheme was sought which had been requested at a previous meeting of the Committee. 

The Assistant Business Manager confirmed that a County wide group was addressing recycling and trying to standardise recycling.  A meeting had been scheduled later that month and it was hoped that any decisions made could be rolled out as soon as possible to standardise recycling across the County.  Work was currently being undertaken with new residents informing them through a sticker system what could be placed in their recycling bin.

A Member commented on the wording for the instructions regarding what to do if a resident had contaminated their recycling bin as stated in Policy 10 and suggested that the Policy should read ‘Place the contaminated recycling bin with the residual bin’.

Members discussed the recorded rise in fly tipping and the reason for that.  The Assistant Business Manager confirmed that the rise could be due to the waste management crew having access to hand held devices to record the fly tipping and also the upturn in the economy which had an impact in fly tipping nationally.  It was also confirmed that an enforcement team went through the fly tipping looking for evidence and if found prosecution.  The team also had the power to investigate fly tipping on private land, the land was not cleared by the Council, but the team had the power to prosecute on behalf of the private land owner.

A Member suggested that Veolia be invited to a future meeting of the Committee.  It was further suggested that Nottinghamshire County Council should also be invited with Veolia in order for the Committee to look at the flexibility of the contract.

AGREED (with 6 votes for, 3 votes against and 2 abstentions) that:

(a)        the information contained within the report be noted;

(b)        the reviewed policies and procedures subject to the amendment to Policy 4 be approved as follows:

The Council will issue standard sizes of bins for residual waste collection to new households, depending upon the number of occupants that are full time residents of a household, as follows:

1 - 2 residents             140 litre bin

3 - 5 residents             240 litre bin

6 - 8 residents             360 litre bin

For properties containing more than 8 residents the Council will consider the implementation of additional capacity on a case by case basis.

With regards to the above replacement bins will be issued ‘like for like’ for properties with 240 or 140L bins. Replacement bins with a capacity over 240L will be issued in line with the number of residents.

(c)        Policy No. 9 – Assisted Collection, to include the following:

In such cases the council will (where practicable) assist with the removal of items from the property which are to be collected under the terms of Policy 5.