To consider the report of the Neighbourhood Services & Assets Group Manager (enclosed).

Considered – report and presentation of the Neighbourhood Services Group Manager.

Cllr. Adrian Clifford arrived at the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Chairman, Cllr. Nick Brown welcomed Cllr. Nigel Grundy -  Neighbourhood and Assets Portfolio Holder, the Neighbourhood Services Group Manager and the Waste Operations Manager to the meeting to present the new Kerbside Waste Collection Policy.

The Neighbourhood Services Group Manager outlined key points from his presentation, which included:

·         Providing a waste collection commitment, being clear about food waste provision and extending the ‘no side waste’ rule to include cardboard.

·         Following a fatal injury of a loader in January 2023 in Coventry, the Council had been prompted to review its own procedures in how waste is collected.

·         There is a change to the existing practice of permitting cardboard to be presented at the side of the recycling bin to eliminate the risk of loaders becoming entangled in bin lifting machinery. All cardboard must be fully contained within the recycling bin to ensure safe, consistent handling.

·         Food Waste Provision:

o   1 x 23 litre food waste caddy will be provided per household (regardless of number of residents residing permanently at the property) and replacements for new, damaged, or missing containers will be provided by the Council.

o   1 x 7 litre internal food waste caddies will be provided as a one off to each household funded through new burdens capital allocation. No replacements will be provided. Internal caddies can readily be sourced from online retailers and hardware stores.

o   A starter pack of food waste caddy liners will be provided. Ongoing supply of liners will not be provided by the Council. Liners can be sourced by residents from online retailers. DEFRA have confirmed that they will not support funding consumables such as caddy liners with new burdens funding.

Members queried the size and structure of the bins and requested that sample bins be brought to the next Council meeting to allow Members to view them. It was confirmed that assisted collections were available for vulnerable residents, and these should be requested by contacting the Council.

Members noted that revenue funding was still unknown and queried when Officers expected to hear further on this. Officers responded they expected end of June, but it may be delayed to the next spending review. It was recognised the capital funding model is insufficient and future funding could impact service delivery. Members were concerned that it could have a substantial impact on the budget.

Members questioned the Group Manager on how the bins had been purchased. The Group Manager responded that the bins had been jointly procured with some Council’s in Leicestershire.

Members requested that guidance on composting of food waste be promoted and encouraged by the Council.  Officers agreed and responded that the Communications Service is planning on issuing guidance to residents on how the new bin changes will affect them.

The Portfolio Holder, Cllr. Nigel Grundy asked Members their views on bin hangers that provide collection information to residents, and whether the service should continue to issue these. Members responded favourably to bin hangers and agreed they should continue to be issued. Members requested that Officers and the Portfolio Holder consider issuing a bin hanger with the ‘no side waste’ rule, food waste information and how to recycle certain materials.

Members queried whether the Council may see an increase in fly-tipping as a result of the ‘no side waste’ rule. Officers responded that they recognised this risk and residents can also purchase larger or additional bins to suit their needs.

The Group Manager then provided an update on the Council’s two electric vehicles which the Commissioners had requested from Officers. The vehicles had been purchased with an air quality grant from Defra.

Members were pleased to note that operatives at the Depot found the vehicles excellent, with long lasting battery, good acceleration and time saving. As the vehicles were still relatively new, it was requested that some data be presented to Commissioners on any savings made.

Members examined the effectiveness of the solar panels at the depot, noting how much energy was being generated. It was pleasing to note that the depot was generating 6/7 hours of energy which in turn was being used to charge the electric vehicles. Officers commented on further ways that they could develop smarter ways of working using the energy generated, including investigating the use of battery power.

The Chairman thanked Officers and the Portfolio Holder for attending, and requested that a further update be provided to Scrutiny on how the  Kerbside Waste Collection Policy is progressing and data on the electric vehicles.