Environmental Select Committee –
Update on Recommendations and actions taken.
1) That the current green waste collection service is sustained, with a delivery
plan to roll it out across the whole Borough.
Signed off as complete. Service delivery for 2006 arranged, Cabinet Member
consulted. Approx. 35, 000 properties included in 2006 scheme. Arrangements for
2007 will be arranged Oct / November 2006, though will be extended to around
48, 000 properties for 2007.
2) That an in-depth feasibility study is undertaken across two existing collection
rounds to estimate the likely impact of a wheeled bin only collection policy.
This will include estimated Enforcement and Fly tipping costs. This feasibility
study to be reported back to the Environment & Regeneration Select
Committee.
Following further research and consultation with Redcar & Cleveland, Officers
recommend that a wheeled bin only collection policy cannot be successfully
implemented on two refuse collection rounds only, due to the operational difficulties
this will create. It is instead recommended that when Members decide when to
introduce this policy, that a Borough wide policy on all refuse collection rounds be
introduced. Officers have completed a full analysis of the amount of side waste
across the Borough in order to demonstrate the likely impact of a wheeled bin only
collection policy. The results indicate that on an average day around 30% of
properties will have side waste – this figure remains consistent even where those
properties are utilising the kerbside recycling collection scheme and are part of the
green waste service. This is because it is clear from our own analysis and from the
consultation with Redcar & Cleveland, that a significant proportion of side waste is
made up of plastic and cardboard and that until these items are collected via an
extended kerbside recycling collection service, a wheeled bin only collection policy
should not be introduced. Requires agreement from Select Committee in order to be
signed off as complete.
3) That an extensive programme of consultation and presentations be arranged
throughout the Borough to discuss waste collection issues. These to include
all parish council’s and residents groups, local public drop ins, viewpoint
surveys and a feature in Stockton News and local media.
Consultation with 4 Area Partnership Boards complete. Viewpoint survey also
complete. Meeting with SCRGA arranged April 2006.
Action Points – Need to arrange public drop in sessions, write to Parish Councils &
prepare article for July issue of Stockton News. Colleagues in Policy & Performance
have suggested waiting until after the MORI survey is complete in June / July before
undertaking any further consultation as this may provide the impression of imminent
changes to refuse collection services, which may then detrimentally impact upon
satisfaction survey results.
4) That the Environment and Regeneration Select Committee schedule into it’s
work programme an analysis of the impact of alternate weekly recycling and
refuse collection in Redcar and Cleveland, one year after it’s introduction.
Action Point - Feedback sought from R&C has confirmed -
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300 complaints have been received since the introduction of fortnightly
refuse collection service. There are no details of the numbers of
complaints prior to this service being introduced.
Net Customer Satisfaction with recycling services has risen from 46%
in 2003/04 to 77% in 2005/06.
20 Tonnes of recycled material collected from April 2005 – December
2005, amounting to 35% recycling rates.
6/7 green waste vehicles / 7/8 residual waste refuse vehicles / 3
refuse vehicles for plastics / 4 recycling vehicles
Total recycling / refuse / green waste operatives 63 (excluding junk job
and commercial refuse.)
5) That following extensive consultation, the Environment & Regeneration Select
Committee reconsider the issue of alternate weekly recycling / refuse
collection and report back to Cabinet with definitive proposals for any specific
trials.
To be noted only at this stage.
Recommendations – Wheeled Bin Replacement / 2nd Wheeled Bins
6) A ‘bin amnesty’ to be applied to households using 2 240 wheeled bins. Bins
should be recalled through a series of promotions via the local media,
Stockton News, Website and e-mail address provided. Refuse collection
teams should also be asked to report where more than one bin is being
presented for collection by a household.
Action Point – Preparations required for Amnesty to be held in August 2006,
including specific Members Bulletin, website and press releases, article in July
edition of Stockton News. Operational Managers / Supervisors / Contact Centre Staff
to be briefed. Refuse crews to be briefed and to provide information in accordance
with recommendation.
7) Recalled bins to be cleaned and recycled for re-use.
To be undertaken in conjunction with recommendation number 6.
8) Larger families of 6 or more members and those who generate additional
residual waste because of disability to be provided with a 360-litre wheeled
bin upon request and following a needs assessment.
To be undertaken in conjunction recommendations 6 & 7. Procedural guides and
Contact Centre Staff briefed.
9) Residents should make a contribution towards the cost of replacement of a
wheeled bin, to be a charge of £25 in all circumstances. A bin will be
replaced free of charge where the collection vehicle is responsible for loss or
damage, or the resident can provide a crime incident number to prove that the
bin was stolen.
Residents have been notified by means of Borough wide leaflet and article in
Stockton News. ICT infrastructure in place for smooth and efficient payment from
residents. Procedural guides and Contact Centre Staff briefed. Following our own
consultation and analysis, Officers have discovered that this charging policy is very
typical throughout local authorities.
Action Point – Prepare Members Bulletin immediately prior to introduction as a final
reminder of agreed policy change, to link with recommendation 11 also.
Recommendations – Bulky Waste Collection
10) That the excellent work being undertaken by Service Stockton Officers and
the CFYA team is acknowledged.
To be noted. Commendation recorded on FLARE.
11) That a standard charge of £10 is introduced for all bulky waste collection
requests, with effect from 1st April 2006, over and above the existing charging
scheme.
Residents have been notified by means of Borough wide leaflet and article Stockton
News. ICT infrastructure in place for smooth and efficient payment from residents.
Procedural guides and Contact Centre Staff briefed. Residents will be informed of the
free of charge alternative service that exists at the CA site at Haverton Hill.
Action Point – Prepare Members Bulletin immediately prior to introduction as a final
reminder of agreed policy change, to link with recommendation 9 also.
12) That the possibility of additional charges for hazardous waste be considered
by the Environmental & Regeneration Select Committee once the full extent
of the WEEE legislation is apparent.
To be noted only at this stage. Still awaiting full WEEE legislative implications.
13) That the incidence and costs of fly-tipping be closely monitored following
introduction of the charge.
CFYA and Enforcement team will be working closely together to co-ordinate any
necessary Enforcement operations in response to increase in fly tipping and to cover
any increase in fly-tipping removal costs. Performance Management frameworks
already in place to monitor amount of fly-tipping – to be monitored on weekly basis by
operational managers.
Recommendations – Waste Kits for New Homes
14) That waste kits, comprising the following containers, are provided at all new
homes as appropriate:  240 litre wheeled bin
 recycling box and bag
 composter
 information leaflets promoting home composting and recycling / waste
reduction techniques, locations of recycling facilities and CFYA
services
Signed off as complete.
15) That developers are requested to provide wither the kits outlined above, or
provide a financial reimbursement to the Council, who will retain the
responsibility for provision and management of the kits.
Discussions ongoing with Planning with regard draft supplementary planning
guidance. Wherever possible, the Council will attempt to seek funding from
Developers.
16) That supplementary planning guidance is created which outlines the
expectations of the Council in relation to the provision of waste kits.
As with 15 above. Draft SPG has been devised, consultation with Planners ongoing.
Select Committee has approved draft of SPG