Issue - meetings

Report of Executive Director Neighbourhood Services

Purpose of report

The report outlines the response to the motion submitted to Full Council in March 2026 requesting clarity on any consultation on changes to our waste collection service.

As the motion fell within the remit of the Executive powers, it was referred to the Executive.

Recommendations

The Executive resolves:

1.1         To note the response and endorse the commitment to extensive consultation on any proposed changes.

1.2         To note there is no decision to proceed with three weekly collections, and this response outlines how any consultation on any proposed significant changes to the service would be conducted in the future.

Resolved

(1)            That the response to the motion be noted and the commitment to extensive consultation on any proposed changes be endorsed.

(2)            That it be noted that there is no decision to proceed with three weekly collections, and this response outlines how any consultation on any proposed significant changes to the service would be conducted in the future.

The Executive Director Neighbourhood Services submitted a report which outlined the response to the motion submitted to Full Council in March 2026 requesting clarity on any consultation on changes to our waste collection service. As the motion fell within the remit of the Executive powers, it was referred to the Executive.

The motion had been proposed by Councillor Eddie Reeves, who had confirmed he had no further comments and did not wish to speak at Executive.

Resolved

(1)          That the response to the motion be noted and the commitment to extensive consultation on any proposed changes be endorsed.

(2)          That it be noted that there is no decision to proceed with three weekly collections, and this response outlines how any consultation on any proposed significant changes to the service would be conducted in the future.

Reasons

The council has committed to a thorough and meaningful consultation on any large-scale changes to waste collection and environmental services, including moving to three weekly collections.

This is the only option that both meets the Executive’s commitment to “listening to residents” and delivers best value for money when making any changes. It also ensures that future services are designed with residents at the heart of what we do.

Alternative options

Option 1: Do minimal consultation

The Executive has committed to thorough and meaningful consultation on this area, with a commitment to “listening to residents” as a core principle throughout the council’s work. Only conducting a minimal consultation would not meet the expectations set by Executive for Cherwell, and as such is not a recommended option.

Option 2: No consultation

Doing no consultation would not only fail to meet the Executives commitment to “listening to residents but would also expose the council to legal challenge on any significant changes to the service. This would increase costs, delay implementation, and not provide best value for money for the council.