The Chairman presented the report, which updated Members on the current and future domestic waste and recycling challenges and proposed a number of new opportunities for the District. It was vital that the Council actively planned to change and improve weekly waste collection services, due to the Government regulations to deliver on its environmental targets. The priority was to increase efforts to recycle more and lower black residual waste, which was key to deliver greater value to taxpayers, as well as working towards the climate change ambitions. The Chairman also highlighted to Members that a training session for Members on Government Regulations and the challenges being faced on waste and recycling collections would be arranged.

Members discussed each of the recommendations as set out within the report in turn. Whilst discussing recommendation (a), although the desk top review was welcomed, some Members expressed concern that there were no timings or smart targets and whether some of the other recommendations could be linked together. In response to concerns raised Members were advised that there was an opportunity for other recommendations to be started in advance of the desk top exercise, and where possible to avoid delaying small changes which could have a positive impact relatively quickly. It was not possible to put a timescale on the desk top exercise as statutory guidance had not been received from Government. Therefore, the Council was reliant on DEFRA for what would happen and when. However, by carrying out the review this would allow all options to be considered whilst further information was waited for. Further discussion took place on increasing recycling rates and its inclusion within the recommendation to Cabinet.

Members considered recommendation (b) for a residents’ survey and what this would include and the type of questions to ensure meaningful information was received. Members discussed recommendation (c) ‘fair use’ and what this could involve. The Head of Direct Services advised that it was not about limiting the number of bags, but rather to educate those households who were regularly putting out overfilled and high levels of black sacks with no recycling. Enforcement was always a last resort but there were powers to assist should education not be sufficient. Members discussed the wording of the recommendations. Members were supportive of recommendation (d) and in regard to any changes to fees, these would have to be agreed by Members.

Discussion moved onto recommendation (e) regarding obtaining legal advice on the Environment Act 2021.

In response to questions, Members were advised that a lot of the act was open to interpretation and in order to ensure decisions regarding waste collections were made lawfully by seeking Counsel advice it would benefit the long-term review.

In response to concerns raised regarding the regulations and Statutory Instruments which were still awaited, Members were advised that the legal advice would be on the primary legislation which would not be changed by further regulations as these were there to support it.

Members considered the recommendation (f) for a Member Working Group and the Membership of the Group. It was noted that there was a focus within the draft terms of reference of communication and educating. Members discussed whether the terms needed to be wider, to incorporate some further discussion of points raised earlier in the meeting. Members were advised that due to the short time frame available before the roll out of the reusable recycling sacks the Working Group needed to focus on customer communications and resident feedback and to widen the terms of reference would not be pragmatic. The Chairman advised that if necessary, further working groups could be set up as information comes through from government, desk top exercises and surveys.

Public Sector Equality Duty

Members noted that consideration had been given to impacts under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Resolved: That it be recommended to Cabinet that

a)      an internal desktop review, exploring service opportunities, costs and increasing recycling rates for new waste collection options that include food and glass collection, be undertaken;

b)      a waste & recycling resident’s survey, following the roll out of the new reusable recycling sacks, be undertaken in 2025;

c)      fair use waste rules and education to help reduce residual waste where excessive and constant high volumes of waste were presented, be developed;

d)      a new booking system and review of the fee to reflect the service offered for garden wastepaper sacks, be introduced;

e)      legal advice on the new requirements of the Environment Act 2021 on other waste collection opportunities under the legislation, be obtained; and

f)       a Cleaner & Greener Advisory Committee working group be set up with a Membership of Cllrs. Bayley (Chairman), Alger, Clack, Manston, Roy, and Cllr Horwood (consultative member), with the terms of reference as set out in the agenda pack.