Minutes:
Members
considered the service report card for Waste Services.
Members
asked whether the Council had invested in smaller vehicles that could collect
from areas that had small access routes. Officers advised that there were no small freighters within the fleet
but there are three ‘narrow track’
vehicles to assist with collections and where there are particular access
issues then a tipper truck is sent to collect the refuse. Officers noted that
11% of the County Borough residents were still on a black bag collection
as opposed to wheeled bins due to access issues.
Members
raised concerns that in the previous week over the Christmas and New Year break
there had been some issues in relation to non-collection of waste which had
seen a high volume of complaints due to the amount of waste that had been
generated. Members asked for a response
on what had happened.
Officers
stated that all refuse was collected as this was prioritised but with respect
to recycling there were two issues.
Firstly, there were exceptional amounts of recycling presented,
particularly cardboard. Secondly, that
collection operatives are currently not contractually obligated to catch up on weekends after Bank Holidays
when historically has been voluntarily. On this occasion a number of staff who
had volunteered to work did not turn up on the relevant days which equated to
three crews. Members were advised that these staff would be dealt with in a
relevant manner but officers also asked them to note that on 11 January 2017 a
formal 45 day consultation with staff will begin with a view to making
working after bank holidays contractual.
Members
welcomed the response and asked that in future any issues or changes to
collections should be communicated to Councillors and the general public at the
earliest opportunity.
Officers
were asked whether the Council was going to target the residents of the County
who do not recycle at all. Members were advised that work was being undertaken
with those who have placed more than three bags of waste for collection which
is against the side waste policy. It was
also noted there was some additional money in the draft budget for next year to
increase the amount of enforcement/promotion work.
Members
were asked to note however, that it would take time to change the culture of
those households that do not recycle.
Officers continued that during the Christmas and New Year period there had been
no restrictions on the amount of waste that could be placed for collection in
line with adopted policy.
Following
scrutiny the report was noted.
Supporting documents: