Agenda item

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 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that 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.

Further to this Cabinet was advised that 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 Chair of the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Chris Rigby addressed the Cabinet advising that the Committee at their receive meeting had thoroughly debated this item following which the following recommendations had been unanimously agreed: -

The committee supported the recommendations as set out in the report and supported option 1 regarding the removal of current separate kerbside battery collections but requested an additional point be included in respect of this option to read: -

(ii)           and to develop a convenient battery recycling scheme with local businesses to create more easily accessible drop off points

In addition, the Committee recommended the strategy at appendix 1 be amended to include the following amendments: -

1.             Paragraph 5.1 of Appendix 1 ‘A Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2028’ be amended to include ‘and incineration’ so that the paragraph reads ‘5.1 Tendering waste disposal contracts that embed the waste hierarchy and minimise the use of landfill and incineration’; and

2.             Paragraph 5.3 of Appendix 1 ‘A Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2028’ be amended to include ‘whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’ so that the paragraph reads ‘5.3 Prioritising waste site proximity where possible, so waste travels only as far as it needs to and reduces the significant carbon impact of transporting waste whilst also considering the carbon footprint of the type of disposal’.

The Portfolio Holder thanked the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their consideration of the report and their recommendations. In relation to this the Portfolio Holder advised that he felt the additional recommendation of (ii) was not necessary as people would be signposted to available organisations, and that this would include those who offered a postal collection of batteries which would assist those unable to access those in shops. In addition, the Portfolio Holder advised that any shops selling batteries were required to provide a collection of used batteries.

Further to this the Portfolio Holder advised that the recommendations raised in relation to paragraph 5.1 and 5.2 would be included within the tendering priorities and that he was happy to accept both of those recommendations.

The seconder advised that they were also content with these.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)           note the consultation report, summarising feedback from residents and stakeholders;

(b)           adopt the Waste Strategy for BCP Council 2026-2036 including the additional wording for paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 as recommended by the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(c)           approve the following service change to progress supporting actions set out in the Waste Strategy:

(i)     removal of current separate kerbside battery collections where household batteries are collected in a clear bag placed on top of the kerbside recycling bin.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Climate Response, Environment and Energy

Reason

Adoption of the Waste Strategy for BCP Council provides the framework for waste management across the conurbation for the next 10 years and demonstrates a commitment to the provision of high performing waste management services across our three Towns.

Drafted, with consideration to the key drivers for change, to provide a clear pathway for progressing our waste and recycling services over the coming decade, offering flexible, comprehensive and efficient waste collections and supporting service that engage residents and commercial customers to effectively manage their waste.  

The strategy providing a key framework to direct the tender of our major waste disposal contracts and progress towards achieving our waste and carbon targets over the period of this strategy, whilst enabling greater engagement in reuse and repair activities and campaigns will reduce waste for BCP Council to manage and enhance community action.

Recommendations from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet noted the recommendations from the Environment and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee and in relation to these did not accept the additional proposed recommendation at (ii) as it was highlighted that members of the public would be signposted to available organisations which it was considered would meet the concerns of the Committee.

Cabinet did accept the inclusion of the additional wording in respect of paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2 which were accepted by the Portfolio Holder for inclusion in the Waste Strategy.