Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Environmental Services

Purpose of report

The purpose of this report is to update the Executive on the proposed changes to the Waste Collection Service commencing from autumn 2021

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To approve the policies relating to separate food waste collection & chargeable garden waste (Appendix 1).

1.2         To approve the proposed rollout plan for the introduction of separate food waste collection and chargeable garden waste (Appendix 2).

1.3         To approve the proposed charges for the garden waste collection service (Appendix 3).

Resolved

(1)          That the policies relating to separate food waste collection & chargeable garden waste (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That the proposed rollout plan for the introduction of separate food waste collection and chargeable garden waste (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That the proposed charges for the garden waste collection service (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Environment and Place, in consultation with the Lead Member for Clean and Green, to make minor operational amendments to the approved policies and plan at resolutions (1), (2) above in the event of technical or IT issues that require this.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services submitted a report which updated the Executive on the proposed changes to the Waste Collection Service commencing from autumn 2021.

Resolved

(1)          That the policies relating to separate food waste collection & chargeable garden waste (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(2)          That the proposed rollout plan for the introduction of separate food waste collection and chargeable garden waste (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(3)          That the proposed charges for the garden waste collection service (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Environment and Place, in consultation with the Lead Member for Clean and Green, to make minor operational amendments to the approved policies and plan at resolutions (1), (2) above in the event of technical or IT issues that require this.

Reasons

The changes to the Waste & Recycling will be significant and should increase the recycling rate to around 60% in 2022/23. The costs for this new scheme are significant.

Charging for garden waste will cover the costs of garden waste collection and will generate sufficient income to pay back the capital costs needed for this change. Those households who use the garden waste service will pay for the use of the service. There may be some initial resistance to the charges however, all other Oxfordshire authorities have been paying for garden waste service for several years.

Alternative options

Option 1: To adopt the recommendations which will lead to a higher recycling rate with the introduction of separate food waste and a revised garden waste service.

Option 2: To ask officers to reconsider the proposed charges and/or amend the proposed policies but any significant delays are likely to increase the cost of the service changes