Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

The following disclosures were made:

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Waste and Recycling Scrutiny Panel held on 29 July 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Waste and Recycling Scrutiny Panel held on 29 July 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any updates/information from officers and Panel Members and to decide what additional information (if any) the Panel requires to complete the Review.

The Chair updated the Panel that it was important to consider the draft recommendations, along with any further information that would be beneficial to include in the report.  The Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services updated the Panel that work was continuing with regards to the waste and recycling contract which was on the forthcoming decision list for the late November Cabinet.  It was anticipated that the Scrutiny Panel report and the contract report would be considered alongside each other.

Further discussion took place on the proposed roll out of bins, sizes and placement.  It was confirmed that options were still under consideration, however there was potential that the majority of households would receive two food caddies (small one for inside and external) along with the standard bins for residual waste and recycling.

It was acknowledged that as with any change it would take a while for residents to adapt to a new service and see the benefits if they fully recycled and separated out their food waste. A positive message was required in order to incentivise and encourage residents to increase recycling and minimise food waste. 

It was noted that the Scrutiny Review overall had been interesting and thought provoking.  Panel Members believed that it had been successful in considering the remit to increase recycling rates across the borough both now and in the future, along with the potential challenges of Simpler Recycling.

The Chair took the opportunity to thank the Lead Officers together with the representatives that had attended the sessions for their presentations and input, as the information had greatly assisted the Panel in informing the draft recommendations. Panel Members were also thanked for their input into the review.

The Commission is asked to consider passing the following resolution:-

That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraphs specified against the item.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act by virtue of the paragraph specified against the item.

Exempt Paragraph 3

Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)

·         Agree details for the recommendations as documented currently in draft form in OSC/324, which will be further elaborated upon within the final report.

·         Confirm details for the report and submission dates.

Exempt Paragraph 3

Information relating to financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information)

The Panel discussed the preparation of the report, which would be circulated shortly. It was agreed the report would incorporate the proposals as discussed, amended and agreed. The recommendations would be further elaborated upon within the report, along with background information and supporting evidence resulting in further details being emphasised as to the importance of each recommendation. The report would be circulated via email to enable comments to be incorporated into the final version for a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission and Cabinet on 25 and 27 November respectively.

The proposed recommendations as set out in OSC/324 were discussed.  It was felt that information could be elaborated upon within the recommendations to include the waste hierarchy of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ as this would further emphasise the importance of recycling and this was unanimously supported by the Panel, along with the recommendations.

RESOLVED

That the draft recommendations, as amended be agreed.