·
To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision
scrutiny (cabinet reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)
Minutes:
The Committee was
presented with a report to consider the continuation of kerbside collections
for textiles.
Members asked how the
community groups or textile banks would be able to get a viable price, if the Council
wasn’t able to, by kerbside collection. It was explained that there was no
market for recycling the mixed textiles that the Council was collecting; there
was a market for the sorted reusable clothing but if the Council were to sort
the mixed textiles, the income would need to be greater than the cost of
sorting for it to be viable for the Council, which Officers confirmed wasn’t
the case.
It was queried whether
the Council had a market for textiles collected at the Household Waste
Recycling Centres (HWRCs). Officers highlighted that the Council didn’t have a
market for recycling, and that the market was in the voluntary sector who were
prepared to undertake the sorting of the mixed textiles. However, the waste
company, FCC Environment, who currently operated the Councils sites had access
to those markets. It was confirmed that the textiles collected at the Councils
HWRCs were going to be sent for sorting.
Officers suggested that
Members could share their community experiences with each other to pass on
information in relation to alternative arrangements to gauge access to
recycling, as there was a number of Cash for Clothes organised across the
County Borough; it was also noted that Officers could share details of parties
known to be offering Cash for Clothes, and subject to the approval, details of
community representatives that organise events. Members highlighted that there
was opportunity to raise funds for the community through Cash for Clothes, and
even with the current pandemic it could be done safely and social distancing
rules could be adhered to. It was added that Members needed to be aware that a
lot of textiles were ending up in landfill due to the fact that there was
currently a reduced amount of clothing materials being collected.
In relation to
timescales if kerbside was to be withdrawn, it was noted that a minimum of one
months’ notice would need to be given, also with enough time to communicate the
change.
Members asked would the
capacity be retained e.g. vehicle design, if the economic circumstances change
for kerbside, to which Officers confirmed that it would; it was added that it
would be two years before any of the first vehicles were due to be changed.
Concerns were raised in
regards to lack of collection of materials due to the pandemic and current
lockdown circumstances; if it were to continue for a long period of time, the
materials could end up being disposed of in landfill and/or fly tipping instead
of correctly. It was noted that the Council
works in line with the national strategy which was very much a high reuse,
recycle, compost policy; the material that the Council cannot reuse, recycle or
compost goes to Energy from Waste plants opposed to landfill. In terms of
members of the public who could have additional materials, it was stated that
the Councils exemption scheme was still up and running for the public to apply
for along with the weekly and fortnightly services; therefore there should be
no reason why residents should not appropriately dispose of their waste. Officers
added that they would continue to review the information that the Council gives
out with respect to textiles.
It was highlighted that
the nearest HWRC site for the Upper Swansea and Afan Valley was Lower Cwmtwrch
which was a site shared with Powys Council; Members asked if residents of Neath
Port Talbot were still able to use this site due to the current local lockdown
restrictions. Legal advice was provided on the current wording within the
recent Welsh Government Regulations as to when the services could be accessed.
A formal amendment to
point (i) of the recommendation contained within the circulated report was
proposed and seconded:-
(i) The Council ceases
to collect textiles at the kerbside and alters its marketing accordingly
providing two months’ notice to the public; and,
(ii) Officers work with
any local outlets who are prepared to receive and/or pay for textiles, to help
promote the growing number of community events and the use of ‘bring’
facilities such as those provided at council Household Waste Recycling Centres.
A roll call was
undertaken for the purposes of determining the vote; the amendment went through
as a result of the roll call.
Following scrutiny, the
committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by cabinet.