Agenda item

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 years which would impact collection rounds.

Cllr Joesbury queried what consultation there had been with the service/Council in relation to the proposed changes.

The Assistant Director Streetscene noted that the service had responded to multiple consultations, with private providers also engaging in the developments of the new national waste strategy.

Performance queries

Cllr Dixon queried how the targets were set in relation to residual waste being sent to landfill.

The Assistant Director Streetscene noted that the Revised Waste Framework Directive 2005 had set a range of targets but now Britain was no longer in the EU the legislation did not apply in the same way.  BDC had generally been performing well in UK league tables and would like to get back to recycling 40-42%.  Approximately 23% of the waste in black bins was food/organic waste.  If this could be collected differently and extracted for recycling/reuse this could easily give another 5% to 10% towards the recycling target.

Cllr Dixon queried whether more enforcement in relation to waste and recycling could boost rates and help to further limit contamination.

It was noted that while this enforcement power was available to the Council it was rarely used.

Cllr Dixon queried what control BDC had over commercial waste, particularly recycling of commercial waste, to improve current rates.

It was noted the core duty for the Council related to residential waste but a service was offered to businesses.  Typically, the Council offered specific collection options such as bottle banks or paper/card skips.

Cllr Bailey queried wait times for bulky waste collections as he was aware of a resident waiting 5 weeks.

It was noted the target time was 10-12 days, but shouldn’t be longer than 2 weeks.  Although there were some issues during Covid, there shouldn’t be a 5 week wait.  The assistant Director asked for details so this could be investigated further.

Cllr Bowler noted that Members had reviewed Q1/Q2 complaints data which had raised some concerns.  She queried service capacity to store new/replacement bins and manage deliveries.

It was noted that there was space for 700-800 bins at the depot.  There had been issues with delivery lead times due to delays in receipt of bin stock.  Covid and Brexit had impacted supply chain and for parts of 2020 and 2021 staff had to be redeployed within the service to maintain collections at the expense of repairs/bin deliveries, although this situation had now improved.

Cllr Bowler noted a common issue that she was presented with was the white recycling bags being thrown in to the back of the lorry during collections.

It was noted they were kept separate due to the twin pack in the red bin lorries.  The load was checked at the recycling site when the processed to check for unexpected items.  Paper collection was currently being reassessed, as previously mentioned, as on some occasions the collection was via a lorry where the twin pack was broken so all waste was mixed.  It could still be filtered out at Martins and the back-end of the process but costs and processes were being evaluated to establish if it was still the correct approach to separate paper.

Cllr Bowler asked what provisions were in place for the refuse collection staff during hot weather, particularly the current heatwave.

It was noted that water and sunblock was available, and shorts could be worn.  The collection rounds were designed to be complete hopefully before the peak of the high temperatures.

Moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Andrew Joesbury.

RESOLVED that (1) the current performance of the service be noted,

(2) following the release of new guidance from Defra, a further discussion to take place about how Scrutiny could engage in the development of new policies and operational practices that would enable the Council to remain compliant.

(Scrutiny & Elections Officer/Assistant Director of Streetscene)