Agenda item

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 Services accordingly.

RESOLVED:

1.             The committee scrutinised and commented upon the report.