Agenda item

The report was noted.

The Chair thanked officers for putting together the update report, which members had felt was comprehensive and complimented the report.

 

Members noted that on page 33 it of the report it listed the fine for not meeting the waste target set by Welsh Government as £200 per ton over the target. Members felt that it may be best to reword it based on an estimate of the total amount by percentage over the target, as it may have more impact.

 

Members felt that questions 1 and 2 in the questionnaire are very similar and could be amalgamated for ease of understanding and increasing engagement.

 

Officers noted that the figure for each 1% has been worked out and they could take that on board, officers also accepted the idea of amalgamating the two questions when they finalise the questions put forward in the consultation.

 

Members suggested that the frequency of the collections question was not necessary, due to the leader of the council stating that this wouldn’t be changing to three weekly collections.

 

In relation to charging for green waste, members were concerned that it would create a negative effect on the environment as people may burn the waste themselves or start to put in with normal waste or even dump it.

 

Members also enquired how many councils have paid a fine to Welsh Government so far.

 

Officers clarified that they can’t comment on any political statements and that they are quite clear that in April 2023 there was a formal decision to carry out a consultation and this part of the action plan is to fulfil that decision taken in April 2023.

 

In relation to green waste, officers said they would explore in the consultation what would happen to green waste as well as plastic waste. Officers advised that the recycling and refuse vehicles are up for renewal and this is the appropriate time to consider the types of vehicles they need to purchase so they have the right ones for the next 7-9 years.

Members were advised that some councils have had fines from Welsh Government, but officers didn’t have the detail of whether they had paid.

 

Members advised that they don’t think there is any way of monitoring how much garden waste might be incinerated by the public or put into the normal waste. Officers advised members that the cabinet members were present and they were sure the feedback from Scrutiny members would be considered along with everything that comes in from the public consultation.

Officers were asked about the absorbent hygiene product waste as the feedback from the public to members was that the boxes are too small and asked if this suitability of the boxes would be reviewed.

 

Officers confirmed the size can be reviewed and that unfortunately, the feedback given to residents as to what the purpose of the bins were, was perhaps not as good as it should have been. Members were advised that the idea is that these bins are not a storage bin but are an easy access bin whilst the bag is open to put nappies in until the bag is closed.  Officers will be updating the website so this can be signposted to the public.

 

Members asked if there any plans for storage bins as well as open bag bins?

 

Officers indicated that in response to feedback they received earlier in the initial pilot, the public wanted a bin that meant they didn’t need to open and close bags several times in a day to put the nappies in. Members were advised that at this time officers are not proposing to provide other bins.

 

Members believed during the ‘Task and Finish group on the waste strategy’ that the intention of the boxes wasn’t for keeping the bags open but as a storage bin. Members felt that the communication on this may have been an issue to the public and members.

The Cabinet Member for Streetscene advised that he would take the feedback away with officers and consider things alongside the public consultation responses.

 

Officers advised that a concern in terms of collections is to not put too much extra time into the collection process and if the public must have another bin that is bigger in terms of storage, then it is more tempting to put the bin out for collection. That would add lots of time when you consider that the bin would need to be taken from the property to the refuse truck and back again.

 

Officers received the suggestion that on the questions that are asking why people aren't recycling members felt it would be quite helpful to put something in around the availability of recycling equipment.

 

Members also suggested that a question would be helpful around food waste bags and receptacles to understand whether that is something the council should focus on improving that or whether it isn’t a barrier to recycling.

 

Members gave feedback on their resident’s experience of ordering food waste bags and that if a resident phones in to the helpline, they get told delivery is 18 days but if they come to members, they seem to be able to get them out basically the next day or the day after.

 

Officers advised that corporate colleagues are helping with the questionnaire, and they will speak to them about how they can work in something about equipment availability that will test if there are some obstructions to people taking part because of the delivery of equipment.

 

Officers explained that the 18 days quoted is classified as a maximum of 18 days to send out the bags. Officers were previously purchasing 400,000 food bags per order. Officers are now ordering 1,000,000 bags at a time and with regards to the food bins they have employed an additional delivery driver, and they now deliver an additional 5000 items on top of what they did last year. Officers felt they were a victim of their own success because the public are clamouring for these items as recycling is increasing.

 

Members were pleased to note a decrease in broken equipment and noted this is likely because the crews are starting to take more time now in putting the boxes back.

 

The Cabinet member for Streetscene advised that when the consultation is concluded and at such time, they will have a look at the feedback. He explained that he has taken on board what members have said today particularly around nappy storage and food bags and that it will be interesting to see what residents across the county have got to say during the consultation.

The report was noted.