Agenda Item 7
BOROUGH OF POOLE
COMMITTEE TITLE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
8th DECEMBER 2008
REPORT TO MEMBERS REGARDING THE SPONSORSHIP OF ON
STREET LITTER BINS.
1.
PURPOSE
To seek member support for generating income from the sponsorship
of the Borough of Poole’s on-street dual litter and recycling bins.
2.0
DECISION REQUIRED
2.1
That members consider the report and recommend which of the three
options outlined should be taken forward by Officers.
3.0
BACKGROUND
3.1
In 2007 Environmental and Consumer Protection Services carried out a
comprehensive audit of the Borough’s litterbin provision. The findings
of this work established there were approximately 1300 litterbins
situated throughout the Borough. These were of varying capacity but
the vast majority of the larger bins were in a poor or declining state of
repair.
3.2
In April 2008 E&CPS began a programme of replacing 300 on street
litter bins with a series of distinctive dual litter and recycling bins with a
combined capacity of 280 litres (140 litre blue bins 140 litre black bins)
These bins being specifically designed to mirror the brand of the blue
and black bins which are very successfully servicing Poole’s residential
dwellings.The bins were purchased at a cost of circa £500 per bin and
were funded via the LAA Grant and LPSA reward grant. The
introduction of these bins has been highly successful with in excess of
35% of litter in these bins now being recycled. Early indications also
suggest that the streets where the bins are placed are also cleaner.
3.3
There is currently no identified funding to expand the litterbin
replacement programme beyond the current 300 bins already
purchased. This leaves 1000 bins of a varied capacity, which are in an
increasingly deteriorating state of repair.
4.0
Opportunity
4.1
Services within the Borough Of Poole have engaged in sponsorship
with a number of national and local commercial organisations in
relation to its assets. One of the most noticeable examples of such
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sponsorship can be seen on road traffic islands. These are sponsored
by organisations ranging from retail outlets to fast food operators.
4.2
Officers are aware that in other parts of the country litterbins carry
sponsorship. The income derived from such arrangements could be
used to invest in additional on street dual litter and recycling bins.
4.3
No companies have yet been approached or have indeed approached
the Borough Of Poole in relation to the sponsorship of litter bins,
however it is envisaged that a list of appropriate advertisers / sponsors
would be drawn up in conjunction with the Communications team to
ensure any link made with the Council is not in conflict with the
Councils objectives or principles.
5.0
Options
5.1
Option 1.
Maintain the current position and not seek sponsorship for the on street
dual litter recycling bins. This would result in the current litterbin
replacement programme being restricted to 300 dual litter / recycling
litterbins which were funded via grant. It would require an alternative
funding stream to be developed to address the deteriorating stock of
litter bins, of which there are currently 1,000 remaining in the Borough.
5.2
Option 2.
Officers investigate the possibility of entering in to a commercial
relationship with an established marketing company to promote both
advertising and sponsorship of the dual litter and recycling bins. This
would provide the opportunity to replace the ageing bin stock on an
ongoing basis and have a dedicated, professional marketing approach
to seeking commitments. This option would mean the marketing
company through commission would take an element of the secured
income.
5.3
Option 3
Officers provide an in-house solution to attracting advertising or
sponsorship of the dual litter and recycling bins. This would require
officers from E&CPS to market the opportunity in conjunction with its
existing duties to secure commitments. As a result, the impact of such
an initiative is likely to have a lesser impact than if a dedicated
resource is applied to establishing the scheme.
6.0
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
6.1
The implications of doing nothing would require the authority over time
to find a capital sum for the replacement of the remaining litterbins. By
allowing the sponsorship / advertising revenue to be secured it is
likely that additional bin replacement activities will be possible.
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6.2
Whilst it is recognised that the current economic climate means that the
timing of this initiative might not be ideal, it is believed that the
increasing profile of corporate social responsibility will encourage
businesses to participate.
7.0
LEGAL & EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS
It is entirely appropriate if the council wishes to enter in to commercial
arrangement with companies wishing to sponsor the provision of dual
recycling and litter bins. Any sponsorship would be would be subject to
a contractual arrangement. There are no equalities implications.
SHAUN ROBSON
Head of Environmental and Consumer Protection Services
Contact Officer
Tel
Ian Poultney
01202 261761
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