Only questions deferred from the Council meeting held on 28 July 2026 are to be considered under this item.
Minutes:
Question from Cllr Patrick Canavan on behalf of Cllr Peter Cooper
“Can the administration explain why the recent rollout of the food waste collection service has been so inconsistent and disruptive across our communities?
Residents have experienced missed or late bin deliveries, confusion over start dates, and collections not taking place on the scheduled day. These issues are not limited to food waste; similar problems are being reported with black and blue bin collections.
On top of this, there are growing concerns about the speed of collection vehicles in residential areas, and bins being left on pavements—blocking access for families, wheelchair users, and those with walking aids.
Councillors are also having to chase updates rather than being proactively informed, leaving residents without clear answers.
Can you set out:
Response from Cllr Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Thank you for your detailed question. I’m afraid the question and therefore answer is long, and I will speak as quickly as I can.
The National “simpler recycling” reforms place a range of new responsibilities on all local authorities, with the intention to increase the proportion of waste that is recycled, and to reduce the residual waste going to landfill or incineration. There are many positive aspects to the changes, but also disruption.
I am sorry that the reliability has not been the service that we want for our residents. The BCP team worked hard and met the April 2026 target for separate food waste. Some other authorities failed to order equipment or trucks in time. The team have been responsive in trying to fault-find issues, which are multi-faceted.
Funding from government was very tight, and it quickly became clear that take-up of the service in Poole exceeded the estimates based on historic food collection in Bournemouth.
A further truck was purchased, which has enabled the rounds to be rebalanced to better match demand. Rebalancing is an ongoing process as the service beds in. We have also seen an increase in presentation of food waste in the Bournemouth and Christchurch areas with the media coverage.
Despite the reports of missed bins and dissatisfaction, the tonnage of Food Waste collected has risen in each of the first three months of operation, to 652 tonnes in June 26, compared to 348 tonnes last year, so 13% of the weight of the black residual waste bins is being diverted to Anaerobic digestion, producing gas feeding into the gas mains, and soil improved for local farms.
When food waste trucks are full, crews on the rounds in Poole experience extended delays in getting from the round area over to Hurn, empty, and getting back.
We have procured two sealed skips to site at Hatchpond in order to reduce down time from collecting waste. Because many Authorities have experienced similar issues, the delivery time has extended. The first one arrived this week and is in operation and this should improve reliability.
Quite a few staff are approaching retirement, and we have experienced problems in recruiting and retaining staff, especially with the additional crews needed for the 6 additional food waste vehicles. The new staff and agency crews, sometimes miss unfamiliar addresses on new rounds. All vehicles are fitted with on board CCTV and vehicle telemetry systems.
Food Collections from Flats is also a new service, and familiarity with varied access to bin-stores by these new crews has also been a challenge.
The team service 60 rounds per day; 1.4 million bin collections per month.
The extreme hot weather has affected all waste services, with increased staff sickness, and machinery failure. On only one really hot day, the crews were stood down for 3 hours for their own welfare.
The position is dynamic from day to day, and we have attempted to communicate out as we can. I have written to all BCP Councillors several times and we have held briefings for all Councillors to update them, and I have appeared on the radio, and in the press to advise people of the status of the service.
When bins on a road are not collected, the teams will work late and attempt to collect the next day, including weekend working to catch up.
Food waste can also be taken to any of the 3 Recycling Centres.
My mailbox both from Councillors and the public has been constant on this topic. Where individual bins are missed, we do ask people to check whether their road is on the missed rounds list, wait 24 hours for catchup, and then use the report-it service, which is more reliable and less disruptive than by email.
There is a cross-party working group to delve into the detail of all the forthcoming changes on waste management.
Question from Cllr Patrick Canavan on behalf of Cllr Peter Cooper
At the recent Poole Town Council elections, many residents remained opposed to the introduction of town councils, and that strength of feeling was reflected in the outcome at the ballot box. However, it also became apparent that a significant number of members of the public had little understanding of what they were actually being asked to vote for or why this new tier of local government was being introduced.
The communications and public information campaign was widely perceived as inadequate, with many residents confusing the elections with other polls. Indeed, even some officers across the Council were unclear about the role, purpose and responsibilities of the new town councils.
Whilst I appreciate that the implementation timetable was challenging, the democratic process relies upon an informed electorate, regardless of whether people support or oppose the policy.
Can the relevant officers outline what lessons have been learnt from the communication strategy surrounding the inaugural town council elections, and what improvements will be put in place to ensure that, ahead of future town council elections, residents receive clear, accessible and timely information about the purpose, powers and responsibilities of town councils are, enabling them to make informed democratic choices?
Response from Cllr Millie Earl, Leader of the Council on behalf of Cllr Jeff Hanna, Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Resources and Governance
Thank you Councillor Canavan and Councillor Cooper for the question. I recognise the importance of ensuring that residents have access to clear and timely information about elections and about the role of any new tier of local government. I also recognise that the creation of the new town councils followed a significant public debate and democratic process and that views about that decision remain strongly held, as we’ve seen here this evening.
It is important, however, to distinguish between the Council’s role in administering elections and the political debate surrounding them. Councillors do not, and should not, control or seek to influence the delivery of elections. Elections are regulated and conducted in accordance with regulation and national guidance, including guidance issued by the Electoral Commission. The Returning Officer is responsible for ensuring that the poll is administered properly, impartially and independently. And I think that our officers have done an incredible job in making sure that is the case.
I do acknowledge that national political factors will often influence voting behaviour at local elections. That is a feature of democratic politics and is not something that the Council can control. The Council’s responsibility is to ensure that the election is administered lawfully, fairly and transparently, and that electors are provided with the necessary factual information to enable them to participate.
I do not accept that there was widespread confusion about the nature of the elections. Every registered elector was sent a poll card, which identified the specific election taking place and provided the relevant voting information. In addition, and unusually for town and parish council elections, every seat was contested and turnout was also relatively high when compared with typical town and parish council elections. That level of contest indicates a high degree of candidate and party engagement and ensured that electors in every ward had a choice at the ballot box.
In terms of publicity, the Council promoted and published election awareness information through its own channels, including the website, social media, and through local media routes. There was also substantial press coverage. I understand that the Bournemouth Echo alone published more than 20 pre-election articles relating to the town council elections. Taken together with the delivery of poll cards to every elector, I consider the Council’s publicity to have been proportionate.
It is also right to recognise that candidates and political parties share a responsibility for communicating with residents, explaining their positions, encouraging participation and helping electors understand the choices available to them. The Council must remain politically neutral in its own communications and cannot campaign for or against any outcome, candidate or party.
That said, there are always lessons to consider after any electoral event. Officers will review the communications activity undertaken, including the clarity, timing and accessibility of information about the role, purpose and responsibilities of town councils. Any appropriate learning will be incorporated into future planning.
Future scheduled town council elections will be combined with the BCP Council elections in May 2031. That will provide a further opportunity to align public information, electoral communications and wider voter awareness activity. However, as I have said, the turnout for the inaugural town council elections was relatively high, all seats were contested, and the Council’s role was properly focused on the lawful, impartial and proportionate administration of the elections.
Question from Cllr Patrick Canavan
In recent months, public debate both nationally and locally has increasingly involved the use of claims relating to crime, migration and community safety. In some cases, information and statements that have involved misinformation have led to unrest and demonstrations based on false assumptions and speculation.
Given the influence that public figures have within public discourse, and recognising our collective responsibility to act with integrity, accuracy and care. Could the Portfolio Holder outline:
1. What ethical and moral responsibility elected representatives have to verify information before making public statements, particularly on sensitive issues that may affect community relations;
2. Whether the Council agrees that all elected representatives should seek to promote community cohesion, public confidence and respectful dialogue, rather than risk deepening fear, mistrust or division through the sharing of inaccurate or unverified claims;
3. Whether there is scope for strengthened standards around responsible communication and the use of evidence in public statements made by elected representatives;
4. At a time when communities can too easily become polarised is it not vital that those in public office lead with responsibility, accuracy and a commitment to social cohesion?
Response from Cllr Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships
Thank you for the question. Yes, statements made by elected representatives and other public officials should be grounded in fact, reliable evidence and valid data, especially where those statements relate to sensitive matters such as crime, migration or community safety.
BCP Council is one of the most politically diverse councils in England. Councillors hold different political views, priorities and opinions, and those differences should be respected. However, we all share a responsibility to ensure public statements are based on facts, reliable evidence and valid data.
Public debate is strengthened when robust but undermined when claims are made without a clear evidence base. Inaccurate or unverified information can damage public confidence, create unnecessary fear, increase mistrust and make the work of the Council, the Police and our partners more difficult. All Councillors should, therefore, take steps to check the accuracy of information before sharing it publicly.
The Seven Principles of Public Life, (the Nolan Principles), apply to all holders of public office. They require honesty, openness, accountability, objectivity and leadership. Councillors are also required to comply with the Council’s Code of Conduct, which exists to protect public trust and confidence in local government. Where conduct falls below those standards, it is often possible to submit a complaint under the Councillor conduct arrangements. Any complaint needs to be considered on its facts and in accordance with the Council’s adopted process.
The Council also has an important role in supporting community cohesion, resilience and respectful dialogue. This includes working with Dorset Police, community and voluntary organisations, schools, faith groups, youth services and other agencies, to share accurate information, listen to concerns, challenge misinformation where appropriate and promote confidence between communities. These relationships are especially important at times of heightened national or local tension.
As a Council, we might like to support some continued work through the Monitoring Officer to ensure all Members are reminded of the standards expected of them, including the responsible use of evidence, social media and public statements. These standards apply across all forms of communication: in this Chamber, media statements, social media, written correspondence, and in the wider community role that Councillors undertake every day. Ultimately, all Councillors have a shared responsibility to communicate honestly, accurately and respectfully, in a way that is consistent with the trust placed in us by the communities we serve.
Supplementary Question from Cllr Patrick Canavan
Could the Portfolio Holder outline what steps BCP Council will take, specifically, to robustly tackle misinformation, and to respond to that promptly when it arises?
Response from Cllr Sandra Moore, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Partnerships
I did say that we could do some continued work with the Monitoring Officer but I’m quite happy to talk to you about this afterwards. Thank you.