The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment introduced a report which outlined the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Weekly Collection Support Scheme bidding process and reported on the results of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste and Recycling Services.  It was agreed that these two issues would be considered separately.

A.        DCLG Weekly Collection Support Scheme

The Department of Communities and Local Government, (DCLG), had announced a £250 million ‘Weekly Collection Support Scheme’ three year fund, available for Local Authorities to ‘increase the frequency and quality of waste collections and make it easier to recycle’. It was a challenge fund that would support Authorities in providing a weekly collection service.  As an Authority that had worked hard to preserve weekly residual collections the District could only bid if a new recycling component such as weekly food (or organic) waste was agreed.   Due to the timescales for submissions, it was noted that there had not been enough time to bring the report forward for consideration by the Services Select Committee first.  Expressions of interest had to be submitted by 16 March 2012, and the outline bid had to be submitted by 11 May 2012.

Members were concerned that even if a bid were successful it was a five year commitment that would need to find its own funding for years four and five, and that it would be difficult to cease the service after the five year commitment as an expectation of provision would have been created.

The Chairman expressed disappointment that the Council was seemingly being penalised for protecting its weekly collection service.  He tabled a draft letter for Members approval to send to Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which Members read and agreed subject to an amendment to reflect the need for future funding.  The Chairman of Services Select Committee requested that any resulting correspondence be shared with the Services Select Committee.

            Resolved: That

(a)          An outline bid and  detailed final bid not be submitted to the                                     DCLG Weekly Collection Support Scheme for the introduction of                 a separate weekly collecting of food waste for compositing; and

(b)          the Chairman submit the letter tabled at the meeting, to the   Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government      subject to the agreed amendment.

The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment thanked Officers for all their hard work.

B         Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste Recycling Services

The Portfolio Holder for the Cleaner and Greener Environment reported on the findings and Officer's response to the Health Safety Executive (HSE) Audit of Waste and Recycling collecting operations undertaken on 20 and 21 February 2012.  It was felt that the HSE seemed to favour a wheeled bin collection service over a sack collection method.  Members were keen not to feel pressured into changing what was a favoured and well run service.  Since publication of the report a further Inspector had looked at the new drop fronted bins, which had been funded by the Kent Waste Partnership, and given the impression that he was less concerned, however no formal response had yet been received.  The Head of Environmental and Operational Services reported that, depending on that response, it may be advisable for the Council to engage it’s own independent advisor.

Concern was expressed as to the Council’s potential legal liability if all the recommendations within the letter were not adhered to and its potential use in a claim.  The Head of Environmental and Operational Services advised that under the Health and Safety Work Regulations, if a risk was identified steps needed to be taken to mitigate that risk.  The Council’s Risk Assessment’s with regard to refuse collection  had been recently reviewed and reissued and he believed using the risk assessment  employed along with suitable manual handling training should be sufficient to mitigate risk.  The Chief Executive advised that it was an on going dialogue with the HSE, this was their offered opinion and they had invited the Council’s response.  It was a process of identifying the real issues and appropriate steps that needed to be taken. 

            Resolved: That

(c)          the recommendations from the HSE referring to the Waste     collection methods currently employed be noted;

(d)          Officers advise the HSE that Cabinet had taken the matter very        seriously and instructed them to discuss the best ways of remediation; and

(e)          Officers report back on the outcome of the on going dialogue           with the HSE.