Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Environmental Services

Purpose of report

To consider the future recycling strategy options which could be adopted to deal with the current environment of volatile commodity prices and potential changes to services delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1      To support the exploration of the possibility of more local transfer stations and/or sorting facilities for future dry recycling contracts.

1.2      To consider the principle of a new depot in Bicester with possible local transfer facilities and/or Household Waste Recycling facilities and to request a report back on this option at an appropriate future meeting.

1.3      To continue a dialogue with Oxfordshire County Council regarding the provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

1.4      To support the promotion of the current recycling scheme to bring both                    environmental improvements and financial benefits by increasing recycling rates towards 60%.

Resolved

(1)          That the exploration of the possibility of more local transfer stations and/or sorting facilities for future dry recycling contracts be supported.

(2)          That the principle of a new depot in Bicester with possible local transfer facilities and/or Household Waste Recycling facilities be endorsed and officers be requested to report back on this option at an appropriate future meeting.

(3)          That a dialogue with Oxfordshire County Council regarding the provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) be continued.

(4)          That the promotion of the current recycling scheme to bring both environmental improvements and financial benefits by increasing recycling rates towards 60% be supported.

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report to consider the future recycling strategy options which could be adopted to deal with the current environment of volatile commodity prices and potential changes to services delivered by Oxfordshire County Council.

The Chairman confirmed that Cherwell District Council had made written representations to the County Council consultation and other district and town and parish councils had also made representations.

Resolved

(1)          That the exploration of the possibility of more local transfer stations and/or sorting facilities for future dry recycling contracts be supported.

(2)          That the principle of a new depot in Bicester with possible local transfer facilities and/or Household Waste Recycling facilities be endorsed and officers be requested to report back on this option at an appropriate future meeting.

(3)          That a dialogue with Oxfordshire County Council regarding the provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) be continued.

(4)          That the promotion of the current recycling scheme to bring both environmental improvements and financial benefits by increasing recycling rates towards 60% be supported.

Reasons

The waste hierarchy and the treatment costs for waste mean that the best financial outcome is usually achieved by reducing waste, reusing waste and recycling to very high levels.

Commodity prices are having an effect on recycling although for this Council the current contract insulates the Council from the full impact of commodity price falls. However, even if a gate fee were payable in the future, the best outcome for the taxpayer would still to recycle as much as possible

Residents having easy access to facilities to dispose of waste is important to minimise anti-social activities such as fly tipping. Currently the district is served by two Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) but in the future this may be reduced.

Alternative options

Option 1 : To approve the revised recycling strategy.

Option 2: To reject the revised recycling strategy

Option 3: To ask officers to consider alternative amendments