Issue - meetings

The Assistant Director of Streetscene provided Members with an operational update on the Streetscene service and highlighted potential changes expected as a result of new legislation.  The service currently operated with over 100 staff delivering over 2.3million collections per annum.  All 3 collection services had at least 90% customer satisfaction rates.

During the Covid pandemic at the end of 2020/early 2021, the service faced significant pressures in relation to the burgundy bin collection service.  Officers became aware that the external contractor was at risk of folding and took necessary steps to reduce the risks the service faced.  However, despite the Council’s efforts the company ultimately went in to voluntary liquidation.  The Council secured transfer of staff and vehicles immediately ensuring that the service was operational for the following week.

All of this had impacted performance against SS05(Amount of residual household waste disposed of by way of landfill) and ENV03 (Achieve a combined recycling and composting rate of 40% by March 2023).  In addition to this, due to changes in packaging over the previous two years, particularly weight of glass bottles becoming lighter which impacted on the amount of waste recycled.  As such, the recycling rate target had been adjusted accordingly to reflect the impacts on delivery.

Proposed national changes

The revised national Waste Strategy that was currently delayed was expected to change how the Council dealt with food/organic waste amongst other things.  This could mean it could no longer be combined with other waste and may require the Council to adopt a separate weekly collection.  Statutory guidance was awaited and it was likely a lot of the changes would need to be implemented by 2025/26. 

Additional changes may also see tariffs on packaging to help fund waste collection and recycling, which could further increase cost of living due to pricing of groceries etc.  Some elements of business waste had already been identified for exclusion from the tariff which could push more on the consumer.

Potential Service Changes - queries

Cllr Joesbury asked for further clarification on the potential for weekly food waste collections.

It was noted that as well as improvements to food waste collection, the government was keen to see free garden waste collections across all authorities.  While this element would not affect BDC it would significantly impact neighbouring authorities who do charge and rely on the income.  Additionally, from April 2027 the recycling of flexible plastics (wrapping etc.) would also be mandated.  BDC had recently adapted collections to introduce this now ahead of the national requirement.  The Council was assessing future options for paper recycling.  It currently accounted for 3-4 tonnes each week but with the cost of the collection bags/caddies it may be more cost effective in the long-term not to separate paper. 

If the Council chose not to separate paper then current burgundy bin collections could be adjusted freeing up resource for black/green bin collections.  Property growth was also impacting the service with over 4000 new homes anticipated over the next 5 to 15  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14