Decision details

To seek approval to analyse options of the waste and recycling service and to introduce the Simpler Recycling Policy mandated by Government determining waste stream to be collected and frequency of collection

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)             approves the introduction of a separate weekly food waste collection service and to transfer the residual waste collection from a weekly to a fortnightly service from 2026 to meet the requirement of the National Resources and Waste Strategy and implement the changes to the collection regime on a phased basis with the initial roll out from April 2026.

b)             approves a contract extension with Biffa Municipal for a period of three years from April 2026 with the option to extend for a further two years thereafter.

c)             approves a virement for £890k for food waste vehicles and caddies funded from the DEFRA grant award of £848k and the earmarked reserve of £42k.

d)             requests that the Head of Corporate Finance include additional revenue funding of up to £150k in the 2025-26 Budget and Council Tax report to support the transitional and project management costs associated with implementing the food waste collection.

e)             notes that DEFRA has indicated new burdens funding will be allocated to support the additional revenue costs associated with food waste collection and to support the one-off transitional costs however the amount to be allocated and the basis upon which this will be calculated have yet to be confirmed. 

f)               requests that the Head of Major Project and Commercial Services arranges for an All Members’ Seminar prior to the introduction of the revised collection arrangements, to enable Councillors to understand the rationale, logistics and roll out programme for the proposed service changes. 

Reasons for the Recommendations

The recommendations will ensure compliance with the Environment Act (2021) requirement to introduce a separate weekly food waste collection while ensuring efficient use is made of available resource with the change to a fortnightly residual waste collection.

The recommendations will support the Council’s net zero ambition with a projected 35% reduction in carbon emissions from the collection and disposal of household waste and recycling and a projected 10.4% increase in the Council’s recycling rate.