Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

Apologies and deputy members for the meeting were noted as above.

RESOLVED:

That, Councillor Morris be appointed Vice-Chairperson for this particular meeting of the committee.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

The Chairperson drew members attention to the supplementary agenda that had been circulated and published in relation to the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2023.

The committee agreed to accept the minutes as a late item onto the agenda requiring approval.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 5 December 2023 be approved and adopted.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services
three clear working days before the meeting

(contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk  or 01962 848 264).

Councillors Lee and Wallace addressed the committee in relation to item 6 and their comments are summarised under the relevant minute below.

Councillor Wallace addressed the Committee on this item.

In summary, Councillor Wallace made reference to the following points which were responded to accordingly by Councillor Learney and the Service Lead: Environmental Services:

·       The importance of recycling to residents and welcomed the efforts of officers to improve the council’s waste collection service.

·       Recognised the key target date for having a new waste management process in place was March 2026, and sought clarification on the action being taken by the council to manage the two main risks (the completion of Hampshire’s new MRF and the availability of waste collection vehicles) which could impact this target date.

Councillor Lee addressed the Committee on this item.

In summary, Councillor Lee made reference to the following points which were responded to accordingly by Councillor Learney and the Service Lead: Environmental Services.

·       Pleased to see a large response to the public survey.

·       Made reference to the need and importance of improved waste management and recycling collection being key for natural resource support for lifestyle and prosperity.

·       Waste prevention, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal was the waste hierarchy; everyone needed to rethink their relationship with waste and consumption and what was best for the environment.

·       Reassurance that the council will not lose sight of the need for parallel messaging about the correct consumption with least impact as the council introduces its future waste and recycling service.

·       Read a statement made on behalf Dr Dixon which emphasised that there were too many confusing choices of what could and could not be recycled which were situated in many different locations.

·       In conclusion, Councillor Lee stated that there was a need for consistent, comprehensive and ‘easier to understand’ recycling options from the least number of sites possible, which did not rely entirely on goodwill.  

Councillor Learney introduced the item emphasising that since the matter was presented to the committee in June 2023, significant developments had taken place. In particular, the Government had announced the results of the consistency consultation and advised local authorities what was required in order to recycle under the banner of ‘Simpler Recycling’ going forward.

The committee noted that the council had carried out extensive consultation and received a significantly high response rate to the public engagement survey of November 2023, the results of which provided a broad representative range from all age groups and households to steer the creation of a system that works for all residents.

The Service Lead: Environmental Services gave a detailed presentation which provided an update on developments, progress made since June 2023, clarification from Hampshire County Council on their position with a one system approach to be put in place for all Waste Collection Authorities (WCA), a breakdown of survey responses following the consultation, the key modelling options and results, the financial position including New Burdens Funding and Extended Producer Responsibility, collaborative working with other authorities and the target deadlines and core time constraints. The views and comments of the committee were sought for inclusion in the report to Cabinet on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.