Issue - meetings

1.    That a new food waste collection and recycling service be implemented in line with the requirements of Simpler Recycling through the Council’s contractor, Biffa, at a forecast cost of £1.611m per annum.

2.    That additional baseline revenue budget of £0.211m per annum for the ongoing cost of the food waste service be approved, in addition to the £1.4m previously agreed in February 2024 (CAB3444 refers).

3.    That it be agreed to start collecting food waste from October 2025 on a phased roll out basis at a total forecast cost in 25/26 of £457k. An additional one-off budget of £317k is required in 25/26 to be funded by the major investment reserve.

4.    That the additional baseline budget of £105k per annum from 25/26 be agreed for the relocation of the grounds maintenance contractor to enable Biffa full use of the depot at Barfield Close from which to operate the new food waste service. A part year supplementary budget of £50k is required for 24/25 to enable the new lease to start in December 2024.

5.    That the contract with the Council’s contractor, Biffa, be varied to include the new food waste collection service.

6.    That the capital budget for this project be increased by £159k, to be funded by borrowing, to allow for the additional costs, outlined in Appendix 1 of report CAB3475.

7.    That the required bins and caddies with associated branding necessary to start food waste collections be procured, with authority delegated to the Strategic Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change to agree assessment criteria and conclude the process, including use of an approved framework, in line with the forecast cost of £429k as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report, from this project’s approved capital allocation in 25/26.

8.    That authority to incur expenditure of up to £853k for identified revenue costs and up to £604k for identified capital costs be agreed as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, (Stage 1 – Revenue and Stage 1 – Capital).

9.    That authority to agree the detail of the new food waste service be delegated to the Strategic Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency.

Councillor Learney introduced the report which set out proposals to confirm the introduction of weekly food waste collection on a phased basis from October 2025.  She referred to the extensive resident consultation undertaken in 2023 which indicated strong support for the service and reiterated that it was a legal requirement that it be introduced by 31 March 2026.

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Lee and Bolton addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Lee

He referred to his comments made at Scrutiny Committee about the benefits of delaying food waste collection in order to prioritise bigger carbon reduction projects. He had concerns that the proposals relating to the electrification programme for waste collection vehicles were  premature in advance of the local area energy plan.

Councillor Bolton

He expressed that consideration of the report at the previous Scrutiny Committee meeting was unsatisfactory due to the lack of time available.  He highlighted that the survey indicated that residents would like to recycle more but to have as few bins as possible.  Noting that the County Council were the disposal authority, he asked what measures were being taken to work together with other Hampshire district councils (the collection authorities) to ensure a consistent approach was adopted.

Councillor Learney and the Service Lead – Environmental Services responded to the comments made including confirming that district councils were working together and had presented to the County Council their preference for a collection system.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out in the report and outlined above.

RESOLVED:

1.                That a new food waste collection and recycling service be implemented in line with the requirements of Simpler Recycling through the Council’s contractor, Biffa, at a forecast cost of £1.611m per annum.

2.                That additional baseline revenue budget of £0.211m per annum for the ongoing cost of the food waste service be approved, in addition to the £1.4m previously agreed in February 2024 (CAB3444 refers).

3.                That it be agreed to start collecting food waste from October 2025 on a phased roll out basis at a total forecast cost in 25/26 of £457k. An additional one-off budget of £317k is required in 25/26 to be funded by the major investment reserve.

4.                That the additional baseline budget of £105k per annum from 25/26 be agreed for the relocation of the grounds maintenance contractor to enable Biffa full use of the depot at Barfield Close from which to operate the new food waste service. A part year supplementary budget of £50k is required for 24/25 to enable the new lease to start in December 2024.

5.                That the contract with the Council’s contractor, Biffa, be varied to include the new food waste collection service.

6.                That the capital budget for this project be increased by £159k, to be funded by borrowing, to allow for the additional costs, outlined in Appendix 1 of report CAB3475.

7.                That the required bins and caddies with associated branding necessary to start food waste collections be procured, with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the committee scrutinise and comment on the proposals within the attached draft cabinet report, ref CAB3475 which is to be considered by cabinet at its meeting on the 20 November 2024.

Councillor Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency introduced the report, ref CAB3475 which set out proposals for the Future of Waste and Recycling; New Food Waste Collections and Recycling Service, (available here). The introduction included the following points.

1.             The report set out proposals for the introduction of food waste collection, covering the budget and proposed phasing, commencing October 2025.

2.             Vehicle procurement was already underway, but there was a need to acquire appropriate bins and caddies and find space for the new food waste vehicles.

3.             The introduction of food waste collection would significantly reduce residual waste, leading to considerable carbon savings.

4.             The aim was to move forward pragmatically to avoid excessive costs.

5.             An options appraisal had been conducted on different delivery methods, with a phased rollout proposed from October to the end of March 2026.

6.             Phasing the rollout would facilitate carbon reduction, make it easier to train and recruit staff, and allow for the sensible distribution of bins.

7.             A recent visit to Cornwall had highlighted the importance of timing in bin delivery to avoid confusion and clutter and ensuring resident support from the beginning.

Councillor Danny Lee addressed the committee and highlighted the following points. Councillor Lee expressed concern over the cost and carbon benefits of the new waste and recycling service compared to other projects. He emphasised the need to prioritise higher pressing decarbonisation needs and reduce wider environmental harm. Additionally, he requested the scrutiny committee to consider the potential premature decisions regarding the local area energy plan and the electrification programme for the waste collection fleet.

The committee was recommended to scrutinise and comment on the proposals within the attached draft cabinet report, ref CAB3475 which was to be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20 November 2024.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1.             A question was asked regarding the increase in costs since February 2024.

2.             Further clarification was sought on the additional £70,000 attributed to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) costs.

3.             Clarification was requested regarding the assumption that the government would fund 80% of the service costs and whether this continued to be the situation.

4.             Clarification was sought regarding the use of the depot at Barfield Close by Biffa, specifically whether the additional space was needed for vehicle and staff management or for processing food waste.

5.             A question was asked about the facilities anticipated at the Winnall site for the fulfilment of the food waste contract and further clarification was requested on why costs associated with the Winnall site were included in the food waste contract.

6.             A question was raised about the communication strategy for informing residents of waste and recycling initiatives and whether this responsibility lay with the County Council, Winchester City Council, or individual councillors.

These points were responded to by Councillor Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, Liz Keys, Director (Finance) and Campbell Williams, Service Lead - Environmental  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10