To consider the following environment related report scheduled for Cabinet consideration on 30 September:
· Christchurch Waste Collection Service
The O&S Board is asked to scrutinise the report 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 will be published on Friday 20 September 2019 and available to view at the following link:
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=285&MId=4025&Ver=4
Minutes:
Management of Waste and Cleansing Services in Christchurch from April 2020 – The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and explained that from 1 April 2020 BCP would be responsible for operating these services. An interim solution was proposed at option 3 within the report which would be in place whilst a strategic review of cleansing and waste services across BCP was completed which would be in line with new legislation being introduced in 2023. The Portfolio Holder was asked a number of questions on the report including:
· What the life span of waste collection vehicles in the current fleet was. It was noted that the life of the average vehicle was 7 years. The Poole fleet would be renewed on a rolling cycle. Dorset vehicles were at the end of their life and investment was being sought for this.
· Whether waste was collected from outside the BCP area at the Wilverly Road household recycling centre. The contract for this site was currently managed through the Dorset Waste Partnership and runs until 2024.
· Whether there was a net financial benefit to the proposals. The cost took into account the mixed collection of glass rather than separately but collected separately this would have a higher value.
· What the driver behind the proposals was – environmental or financial. It was explained that it was a balance between environmental impact and financial impact.
· Why such a small step towards harmonisation and why food waste collection was not being implemented in Poole. It was estimated that 25% - 30% of residual waste was food waste. There was a balance between the cost of implementing a food waste collection before the government waste review outcome. It was a pragmatic step to focus on recycling in Christchurch.
· The environmental impact of not separating glass. Less vehicles would be needed for collection and the majority of glass can be withdrawn.
· What the timescale was for a full review of the waste collection service. The government consultation would need to be factored in and with the number of staff and new structures required as well as existing contracts in pace it was expected that it would take 2-3 years.
· Whether a single waste collection service was a priority. The Portfolio Holder responded that the environment was at the heart of everything she did. Food waste would be a high priority going forward. However, it was more important to reduce food waste than to collect it.
· Whether green waste collections would be harmonised across BCP. Proposals for the green waste collection were contained in another paper and the cost for this service outlined there. Bournemouth residents were able to have two bins for a reduced price but would be paying more per litre.
· How the proposals in the report would sync with the people strategy. IT was noted that staff would be subject to the pay and grading policies across BCP.
The Board discussed harmonisation arrangements for waste collection and disposal and the existing contracts in place and when harmonisation would be complete. The Board expressed concern that the level of harmonisation presented in papers to date did not go far enough.