Agenda item

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.