Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

Apologies were received from Councillor Jo Clements and Councillor Vanessa Ricketts

To receive information on any changes in the membership of the Committee.

Note – When a member of a Committee is unable to attend a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee, the relevant Political Group Leader (or their nominated representative) may, by notice to the Monitoring Officer (or their nominated representative) prior to the meeting, appoint a substitute member from within the same Political Group. The contact details on the front of this agenda should be used for notifications.

There were no substitute members on this occasion.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2025 were confirmed as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of public questions is mid-day Thursday 13 November 3 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is midday Tuesday 18 November the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is Tuesday 4 November 10 working days before the meeting.

The Committee was advised that there had been no petitions submitted by members of the public on this occasion, but that two questions and three statements had been received in relation to Agenda Item 7 (Waste Strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 2026-2036).

Public Questions received from Mr Paul Brelsford on Agenda Item 7 (Waste Strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council 2026-2036)

Question 1

I am pleased to see that Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) under the producer pays principle, together with profit from BCP’s commercial waste collections, has reduced the Council’s waste expenditure from £36.7 million to £17.3 million, a net reduction of £19.4 million. However, was the strategy analysis extended to consider the longer-term benefits of reinvesting part of this net saving into developing new local recycling infrastructure? Such investment could accelerate BCP’s transition to a circular economy, create sustainable green jobs, support climate objectives, reduce the carbon footprint, and generate further economic value that would, in turn, benefit both BCP’s finances and the environment.

Response by the Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, Councillor Andy Hadley ?

All services in BCP are expected to minimise their net impact on Council Tax through fees and charges where applicable. The net reduction mentioned includes?£10 million?which?is not just commercial income but includes?all waste?service income such as?garden waste subscriptions and the sale of other types of household waste.?This figure is not a new figure and has always been?included in waste management budgets which?reduces?the overall net expenditure of the waste service?and therefore the?cost?to?the taxpayer.?

The only recent new income has been the Extended?Producer Responsibility (pEPR) payment of £9.4 million in 2025/26, which is a new government tax on the packaging industry. The payment is?intended under the producer pays principle to?make the packaging industry pay for the collection and disposal of?the existing?packaging waste rather than this falling to the Council Taxpayer.?

If the policy is successful?and works as?intended,?producers and retailers will seek to minimise their packaging, and we will see a reduction in this?tax income?year on year?as packaging reduces?or is switched to more recyclable materials.??

The government?have?indicated?that Councils will be?inspected?in order to?show that they?are?providing effective and efficient?waste services, and if any?changes are?recommended?the EPR funding should be used to?implement?them?

If any new facilities are?required?in the future?by?the Council to manage its waste,?a separate business?and financial case?will be developed, with its associated funding?agreed by Councillors. Given the scale of our waste streams, and the shifting global market for recyclates, it is unlikely that the Council could create a facility at scale to be economically sustainable. 

We do have plans to extend the “new 2 you" facility to divert reusable items from the waste stream.

There is still?a?lot of uncertainty in the UK waste  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

With the UK Government progressing major waste legislation and policy reforms, the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-36 has been drafted setting out clear ambitions and commitments, with consideration to the key drivers for change, to provide a pathway for enhancing our waste and recycling services over the coming decade.

This strategy will direct the retender of a major waste disposal contract in 2027 and sets out ambitions and supporting actions for progressing towards achievement of our waste and carbon targets by 2035.

The Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee were informed that with the UK Government progressing major waste legislation and policy reforms, the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-36 had been drafted setting out clear ambitions and commitments, with consideration to the key drivers for change, to provide a pathway for enhancing our waste and recycling services over the coming decade.

Further to this the Committee were advised that the strategy will direct the retender of a major waste disposal contract in 2027 and sets out ambitions and supporting actions for progressing towards achievement of our waste and carbon targets by 2035.

In addition, the Committee were reminded of the all-member briefing which was held in May and the informal cross party working group which had been formed following the briefing to consider the required legislative impacts, developed ambitions and public consultation results.

The Committee comprehensively discussed the strategy and in particular raised the following areas of discussion: -

·      Contamination of recycling bin waste.

• Batteries and in particular risks associated with batteries being included with waste and fires which had occurred as a result both in the refuse vehicles and at depots. The Committee felt that the messaging needed to be clear with regards to the disposal of batteries and concern was expressed with regards to those less able being able to dispose of batteries appropriately. In relation to this Officers advised that there were local drop off points for batteries at corner shops and supermarkets. The Committee felt that it was important to encourage more locations to accept and collect batteries for disposal.
• The role out of food bins across the Council, and contamination with food and potential issues with rats particularly in respect of flats. Officers advised in relation to this the flats would have a communal bin for food waste with each flat having a food caddy. Officers further advised that there are existing problems with contamination with shared bins, and that it was hoped that this could be overcome by education and engagement with residents. It was highlighted that food waste was a weekly collection which was hoped would reduce the likelihood.
• Communal street bins shared across multiple properties. Officers advised that food waste bins hadn’t been rolled out to such properties unless someone had indicated that they would take ownership. In relation to this a member queried whether they could have individual smaller bins and officers advised that any bins would need to not cause any obstruction and not be on the highway.
• Circular economy whereby members questioned whether there was a larger strategy around this, clarity around the costings and investment was also sought. Officers advised in relation to this that there was a commitment to the circular economy with a potential to hold repair workshops. In addition, officers further advised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

For committee to consider a verbal update from FISCA on the work they do.

The Committee were provided with a presentation from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) a copy of which has been attached to these minutes and appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Chief Officer of Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA), Pia Bateman presented to the Committee providing background on IFCA and how it links in with the Council, following which there was an opportunity for questions and the following areas were raised: -

• The impact of climate change on the fishing industry and a request that the importance of climate change be emphasised on the IFCA website with signposting to relevant authorities;
• Blue Ink Octopus coming into the area which is believed to be due to the warming of the waters and who have been taking advantage of the crab and lobster which has affected some areas. It was questioned in terms of when this would become a conservation issue to which the Committee were advised that it would become a conservation issue if they were deemed to be under threat.
• Farmed fish – the Committee asked whether there were any farmed fish along the coast which IFCA has responsibility for welfare, to which they were advised that IFCA managed the statutory instrument regarding compliance and enforcement but that they didn’t have welfare responsibility.
• Bottom toed fishing (towing a net along the sea bead) and the effect this may have.

The Chair thanked Pia for attending and presenting to the Committee.

This is the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council.  There is a requirement to report on the work of O&S to the O&S Board and Committees and then to Council.  This promotes visibility of the O&S function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required. 

The annual report contains a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2024-25, reflections on working practices and identified improvements to strengthen the O&S function.

This report version is for consideration by the O&S Board and O&S committees, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council.  The Council will be the decision maker on any recommendations for change within the report. The final report to Council will be updated to incorporate the views of the O&S Board and Committees on these recommendations.

The Overview and Scrutiny Specialist presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised that the report presented the annual report of the Statutory Scrutiny Officer on Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) activity within BCP Council and highlighted that there was a requirement to report on the work Overview and Scrutiny to the O&S Board and Committees and then to Council. 

In relation to this the Committee was advised that the presentation of the report promoted visibility of the O&S function and Council ownership of activity and any improvements required. 

The Committee was informed that the annual report contained a summary and analysis of O&S activity during 2024-25, reflections on working practices and identified improvements to strengthen the O&S function.

Further to this the Committee was advised that the report version is for consideration by the O&S Board and O&S committees, providing opportunity for comment prior to the supply of the final report to Council, and that the Council would be the decision maker on any recommendations for change within the report.

In relation to this the Committee was advised that the final report to Council would be updated to incorporate the views of the O&S Board and Committees on these recommendations.

The Committee discussed Option A within the report with clarity being sought in respect of the limit of one topic to be undertaken at a time and the O&S Chairs and Vice Chairs group having the responsibility for prioritising topics.

Further to this the Committee was reassured that there would be a scoring matrix for the group to use to prioritise topics, and that relevant Chairs would report back regularly to the O&S Committees.

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the Committee considered and commented on the annual report;

(b)           the Committee commented on the proposed recommendation to Council that the Overview and Scrutiny committee structure as outlined in figure one be agreed.

(c)           the Committee commented on the proposed recommendations to Council aimed at maximising the resource available for O&S work:

                      i)       for pieces of in-depth work, the constitution be updated to allow one scrutiny topic to be undertaken at a time across the whole O&S function, with one further topic being scoped during the same period.

                     ii)       the O&S Chairs and Vice Chairs group role be strengthened to include a responsibility to agree the priority of all work topics across the full O&S committee structure.

                   iii)       the O&S Chairs and Vice Chairs group strengthen scoping for all O&S topics by reviewing key lines of enquiry for topics on an ongoing basis to provide peer test and challenge.

                   iv)       the Monitoring Officer be delegated to make the associated updates to the Constitution.

Voting: Unanimous

The Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committee is asked to consider and identify work priorities for publication in a Work Plan.

The Overview and Scrutiny Specialist presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committee was asked to consider and identify work priorities for publication in a Work Plan.

The Chair reminded members of the scheduled briefing session on the 18 March on Vanlife where it was intended that there would be an opportunity for officers to brief members on the topic.

In addition, the Committee were advised of the work planning session scheduled for December via teams whereby it was intended the session would be a light touch work planning session on items already on the workplan with in-depth working planning sessions being planned for the New Year.

RESOLVED that:

the Overview and Scrutiny Committee review, update and confirm the Work Plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Meeting ended @ 20:09