Agenda item

1.      That the Council’s recycling performance and its ambition to increase recycling rates, help households reduce waste they generate, reduce the waste service carbon footprint within the context of the most cost effective and sustainable service be noted.

2.      That it be noted that there will be a need to alter the current recycling collections to reflect national and regional requirements. 

3.      That undertaking a consultation to help inform a new waste strategy for household properties be approved.

4.      That it be agreed to proceed to draft a contract variation, and a mobilisation plan with the Council’s waste collection contractor to operate the existing waste and recycling collection fleet on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an initial solution to reduce the carbon emissions, to be considered as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process.

5.      That the current offer from Hampshire County Council of an Inter-Authority Agreement and the intention to work with Hampshire County Council to achieve a mutually affordable and sustainable solution be noted, so that the Council can respond to the offer by October 2023.

Councillor Learney introduced the report and reminded that some of the detail of final proposals from government regarding managing recycling and funding available had yet to be determined.  The council was to also explore reducing carbon emissions from the waste fleet, recognising that this would be achieved at an additional cost. 

At the invitation of the Leader, Councillors Wallace and Horrill addressed Cabinet as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Wallace

He highlighted that the limited capabilities of existing recycling centres were hindering Hampshire’s recycling performance and so was pleased at the opportunities now presented.  He suggested that as part of the consultation, it be considered that a panel of residents be established who would have the opportunity to input the proposals as they progressed.  He also highlighted risks identified of significant increases in costs and therefore managing these risks was very important, so costs weren’t passed onto the districts.  Finally, the proposal to move the waste collection fleet over to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) must only be seen as a short-term measure. 

Councillor Horrill

She requested clarity of the mechanisms to be used to consult with residents, and when this was likely to take place.  Regarding modelling of the figures related to a new collection service, she queried why consultants were necessary for this work.  She also queried what the funds brought forward from last year’s budget would be used for?  Finally, she requested clarification of the likely cost to the council should the government determine that garden waste collection should be free of charge to residents. 

Councillor Learney, together with the Strategic Director and Service Lead – Environmental Services responded to the points raised by councillors including setting out initial consultation proposals and likely budget implications. 

The Service Lead – Environmental Services responded to questions from Cabinet Members, including confirming the government’s current intentions regarding consistency of recycling services and a system that would work for all partners.  Councillor Tod advised that Hampshire leaders had written to government requesting further multi-lateral negotiation regarding a financial model that achieved a system wide approach for recycling.  The Chief Executive emphasised that the County Council and district councils would work closely together to deliver a high quality and critical service for residents.

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

RESOLVED:

1.              That the Council’s recycling performance and its ambition to increase recycling rates, help households reduce waste they generate, reduce the waste service carbon footprint within the context of the most cost effective and sustainable service be noted.

2.              That it be noted that there will be a need to alter the current recycling collections to reflect national and regional requirements. 

3.              That undertaking a consultation to help inform a new waste strategy for household properties be approved.

4.              That it be agreed to proceed to draft a contract variation, and a mobilisation plan with the Council’s waste collection contractor to operate the existing waste and recycling collection fleet on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) as an initial solution to reduce the carbon emissions, to be considered as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process.

5.              That the current offer from Hampshire County Council of an Inter-Authority Agreement and the intention to work with Hampshire County Council to achieve a mutually affordable and sustainable solution be noted, so that the Council can respond to the offer by October 2023.