Agenda item

To receive a report from the Street Scene Task and Finish Group.

The Committee received the report from the Street Scene Task and Finish Group. Cllr Bernard Sarson, Chair of the group, advised that the panel had met four times in September and October and held very constructive discussions. He noted the collection of cardboard presented alongside blue lidded bins had been implemented earlier in December as a trial scheme at no additional cost to the Council and provided a summary of the other recommendations as set out in the report. He thanked all members of the group for their enthusiasm and ideas and also thanked officers for their help and advice during the discussions.

Members raised the following points:

·       In respect of the bring back service, Saturday collections had been seen as too expensive. The group had discussed the feasibility of just doing collections on bank holiday weekends when pressure on recycling facilities was at its greatest and a member asked that this be considered. The Chair of the group noted Urbaser could be asked to carry out collections on Tuesdays after a bank holiday. Officers agreed to look into this with the contract manager and would advise members accordingly.

·       A Member asked about the cost of paper trays which had been very high. Officers advised collecting paper separately was about twice as valuable when compared to comingling it with other recyclables. The task and finish group felt it important to explore other possible receptables for paper collections. Residents who no longer had the inner tray should still present their recycling, separated where possible.  

·       A Member asked about the progress of rolling out recycling for flats. Officers explained that progress had not been as swift as they would have liked; around half of the bins had been delivered to the locations where the pilot would take place and it was anticipated that they would be able to evaluate it in the first couple of months in the new year.  Feedback on the pilot would be provided.

·       A Member asked how residents would be advised about presenting cardboard alongside the blue lidded bins. Officers responded that there had been communications on social media and information was available on the website. The task and finish group had recommended a communications campaign in the spring around recycling, proper waste disposal etc which would reinforce the message about cardboard.

·       A Member asked about recommendations which did not have dates attached. Officers said a review of recycling banks would result in a plan around the end of the current financial year which would be discussed with the Executive Member for Environment. Officers would feed back to OSC in approximately six months about progress with other recommendations which did not have a date. The Member asked if this would be a recurring agenda item and the Chair said officers would be asked to keep OSC informed of the outcome of the recommendations.

·       A Member commented that Development Management Committee had recently noted S106 underspends in respect of refuse although this was ward-specific. Officers agreed to follow this up. The Chair asked that the budget task and finish group consider this.    

·       Members commended the thorough report and its clear recommendations.     

The Committee agreed to recommend the Street Scene Task & Finish Group Report to Cabinet.