Issue - meetings

RESOLVED that quarterly outturns against the Council Ambition 2020-2024 targets be noted.

Executive considered a detailed report, presented by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Performance and Governance, which provided the Quarter 4 (January 2024 to March 2024) outturns for the Council’s Ambition targets 2020-2024.

The report concluded the performance reporting under the Council Plan 2020-2024, and reporting under the new Council Plan 2024-2028, would commence from Quarter 1 (April 2024 to June 2024/25).

Out of the 25 targets, 16 (64%) had been achieved, 1 (4%) had not been achieved and 8 (32%) had achieved their outturns previously.

The target which had not been achieved related to ENV.03: Achieve a combined recycling and composting rate of 43% by March 2024. The introduction of food waste collection in green bins along with garden waste had commenced in 2014 but had never been popular with households who had preferred to continue placing food waste in black bins due to hygiene concerns, and further, that biodegradable food waste bags were not accepted at the IVC (In-Vessel-Composting) treatment facility. Therefore, increased diversion of compostable, i.e. food waste from black bins, was not realised and had held back the Council’s performance.

The report noted that the Environment Act 2021, required all English councils to implement separate weekly collection of food waste from households from 1st April 2026, to achieve a combined recycling rate of 65% by 2035, and this target had been set within the Council’s new plan 2024-2028.

The Strategic Director of Services advised Members that arrangements were currently being made for food waste collection and a report would be considered at Council on 22^nd May 2024, in relation to a budget for procuring vehicles. It was anticipated that if 50% of food waste in black bins could be captured it should drive the Council’s recycling performance up between 55% and 60%.

In response to a Member’s query, the Strategic Director of Services advised that the new food waste collection bin was a lockable 25 litre container, which could be kept indoors or outdoors and would be collected on a weekly basis.

Members noted that a public education awareness campaign in relation to the new food waste collection bin would need to be carried out. The Monitoring Officer advised Members that Customer Services Scrutiny Committee had recently undertaken a review on improving communication with residents regarding recycling awareness and use of correct bins and would be recommending an action plan to reduce contamination. A report would be presented to future Executive meeting.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor

RESOLVED that the quarterly outturns against the Council Ambition 2020-2024 targets be noted.

Reasons for Recommendation

This was an information report to keep Members informed of progress against the Council Ambition targets noting achievements and any areas of concern.

Alternative Options and Reasons for Rejection

Not applicable to this report as providing an overview of performance against agreed targets.