Issue - meetings

Since the formation of BCP Council in April 2019 it has been known that within waste services, there are several operating procedures that need to be aligned between the three legacy councils.

Prior to developing our own waste strategy, there are several primarily operational decisions that need to be made as carrying on as we are is becoming increasingly difficult.

By addressing and aligning differences in service such as bin sizes and colours, charges for bins, collections of other recyclables and subsidies for home composting and real nappies, efficiencies can be made operationally, and clearer communication messages given to residents across BCP Council.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       Bin sizes and colours

(i)   Recycling – Cabinet approves the replacement of all current recycling bins, as and when they break, with 240 litre black bins with blue lids.

(ii)   Refuse – Cabinet approves the replacement of 140 litre bins in Bournemouth and Christchurch with 180 litre as and when they break.

(iii)    Garden waste

- Cabinet approves the replacement of all 140 litre bins in Bournemouth with 240 litre bins (black bin with green lid) and a borrowing of £380k to be repaid over the expected life of a bin.

-  Cabinet approves the replacement of all garden waste bins which need replacing in Poole and Christchurch when damaged with 240 litre black bins with green lids.

-  Cabinet approves the garden waste price for the 2021 service at £49 per bin, which is an above inflation increase in charge to cover the borrowing cost and allow for the Bournemouth bins to be replaced with 240 litre bins.

(iv)   Food Waste

Cabinet defers any decision about the possibility of introducing a food waste service in Poole until further guidance and information is given by central government.

(b)       Charges for bins/bags

- Cabinet approves the harmonisation of charges across the three areas based on the current prices in Bournemouth. If 180 litre refuse bins are agreed as standard, this price would increase to £45. If 240 litre garden waste bins are agreed as standard, this price would increase to £55

- Cabinet approves the removal of the provision of free food waste liners in Bournemouth and the use of the savings of £20,000 for waste and recycling education

- Cabinet approves only permitting requests for additional recycling bins for medical or larger families’ needs

- Cabinet approves the introduction of a charge for properties with bags, which are not suitable for bins, based on the projected life of a wheeled bin, which would be a cost of £12.50 per year (52 bags)

- Cabinet approves the removal of the right to request additional refuse bags for households with one or more children in nappies in Christchurch

- Cabinet approves that those in receipt of certain income based benefits may be able to have a replacement bin free of charge. The qualifying benefits are:

o Council Tax Benefit (not Discount)

o Housing Benefit

o Income Support.

- Cabinet approves that where bins are lost during collection or damaged through the collection process officers will use their discretion and the replacement bin may be provided free of charge.

(c)      Side waste – Cabinet approves the cessation of side waste collection in Bournemouth and Christchurch to allow rationalisation of rounds to increase efficiencies.

(d)    WEEE collections – Cabinet approves the cessation of WEEE collections in Bournemouth once the recycling collection service is brought back in-house in October 2020.

(f)        Home compost bin subsidy – Cabinet approves the introduction of the subsidy in Bournemouth and Christchurch at a cost of approximately £5,000 per year.

(g)       Real nappy incentive scheme – Cabinet  ...  view the full decision text for item 226

The Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'F' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder advised Cabinet that since the formation of BCP Council in April 2019 it has been known that within waste services there are several operating procedures that need to be aligned between the three legacy councils.

Further to this Cabinet were informed that prior to developing our own waste strategy there are several primarily operational decisions that need to be made, as carrying on as we are is becoming increasingly difficult.

In relation to this Cabinet were advised that by addressing and aligning differences in service such as bin sizes and colours, charges for bins, collections of other recyclables and subsides for home composting and real nappies, efficiencies can be made operationally, and clearer communication messages given to residents across BCP Council.

In addition the Portfolio Holder made reference to a recently held virtual briefing which many councillors had attended and which highlighted the proposed decisions.

Upon proposing the recommendations the Portfolio Holder requested an additional bullet point be included under recommendation (b) to read:

“Cabinet approves that where bins are lost during collection or damaged through the collection process officers will use their discretion and the replacement bin may be provided free of charge”

The Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising that at their recent meeting the Board resolved to make the following recommendation to Cabinet in respect of this item:

The Overview and Scrutiny Board recommends to Cabinet that residents should not be charged for replacement of, or repairs to waste containers in the event that they have been broken or have gone missing through no fault of their own unless the container is owned outright by the resident.

In addition the Chairman of the Board advised the Cabinet of the following general comment:

There were differing views from Board Members in relation to the ownership of bins, replacement costs, cost of service for garden waste collections and bin sizes. The importance of taking these matters into consideration before a decision is made was raised.

The Vice Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet and advised that the additional recommendation was welcomed. In addition the Vice-Chairman of the Board advised that the Board had raised some concerns with regards to the green bin price increase.

Comprehensive discussion took place on the item with Cabinet Members speaking in support of the report and thanking officers for their work in beginning to align the services, further thanks were expressed to officers and the Portfolio Holder for the recent member briefing which was felt to have been really useful. In addition Cabinet highlighted the importance of investing in the education and information for residents.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)       Bin sizes and colours

(i)   Recycling – Cabinet approves the replacement of all current recycling bins,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 226

To consider the following environment related reports scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 9 September 2020:

-         Waste Services Policies

The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the reports and make recommendations to Cabinet as appropriate.

Cabinet member invited to attend for this item: Councillor Felicity Rice, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change.

The Cabinet report is included with this agenda for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Board.

The Environment and Climate Change presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'E' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr D Butler to the meeting to make a representation to the Board, details included:

• Cllr Butler felt that existing system of bins that was used in Poole i.e. colours and sizes would be most appropriate going forward based on need.
• Made suggestions of how existing bins could be utilised and /or redistributed across the conurbation.
• She felt that the charges relating to garden waste bins were at risk of becoming too high to the point where residents no longer felt it to be a cost-effective option.

A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion, including:

• A Board member stated that he was disappointed in the proposed removal of WEEE collections from the service and would prefer for it to continue. He added that the Council should look at replacing the 180 litre bins in Poole with 140 litre bins. The Portfolio Holder advised that she understood concerns about the removal of WEEE collections, but that the scheme was no performing to a standard that officers were satisfied with. Instead, work would be undertaken promote WEEE collection points. Additionally, some legislative changes were due to be made which would transfer responsibility recycling of such goods to manufacturers.
• A Board member questioned the cost of replacement of different bins and indeed the rationale for doing so and stated that it was important to ensure fairness across the board. The Portfolio Holder advised that she didn’t have figures to hand on the cost of fully coloured bins over black bins with coloured lids but needed to ensure that the waste service was efficiently run. She added that there was a move nationally to have one bin colour with a different coloured lid depending on purpose. If residents in Bournemouth wished to keep 140 litre bins it was their right to do so, but there would be no difference in cost.
• A Board Member stated that she felt there to be an inequity of service across the garden waste scheme and that she felt the increase in price to be extraordinary. The Portfolio Holder advised that the cost of £55 was for a replacement bin, not for the cost of the green waste service itself.

A Board member declared that he wished to propose a motion that would seek to review CCTV footage if residents claimed damage was caused by the Council and if proven, the council replace bin free of charge. Additionally, he wished for Officers to investigate toe cost of repairing lids rather than replacing entire bins. This motion was duly seconded by Cllr G Farquhar.

A number of issues were raised by the Board in the subsequent discussion, including:

• The Chairman requested that the officer present provided clarity on the costs and/or impact to the council in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41