AGENDA ITEM NO. 4
1
REPORT TO:
Executive Board
REPORT NO:
PAW/05/04
DATE:
18 May 2004
REPORTING OFFICER:
Strategic Director Philip Walton
CONTACT OFFICER:
Mr J A Bradbury (Ext 7060)
SUBJECT:
Wrexham County Borough Council
Draft Municipal Waste Strategy
WARD:
N/A
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
To seek Members’ approval:
i
ii
to adopt the Wrexham County Borough Council Draft Municipal Waste Strategy.
that the Wrexham County Borough Council Draft Municipal Waste Strategy be
submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government. A copy of the Draft Municipal Waste
Strategy is available in the Members Library, Guildhall. (Individual copy available
on request, please contact Martin Bartlett Ext. 7096).
2
INFORMATION
2.1
Policy Framework
The Draft Municipal Waste Strategy is supported in the Council’s Policy Framework as
follows:2.1.1 Emerging Corporate Priorities
Consultations carried out for the Corporate Strategy (People’s Vision) highlight the public’s
wish to care for the environment, specifically by increasing opportunities for recycling.
Consequently the Draft Municipal Waste Strategy supports the emerging Corporate Priority
to “increase recycling and reduce landfill”. It will also support the emerging Priorities to
“improve health and well-being” and “Integrate sustainability”.
2.1.2 Improvement Plan
Improvement Plan 2003/2004 denoted Waste Management as an Improvement Priority. The
Draft Improvement Plan for 2004/2005, includes the following proposed Outcomes;
i
ii
Wrexham county Borough Council has a Municipal Waste Strategy which meets the
Welsh Assembly Government and legislative requirements and supports Corporate
Priorities.
Wrexham County Borough Council achieves statutory targets on waste and related
measures which support the Council’s Corporate Priorities.
The targets for 2004/2005 are;
i
ii
2.2
that the Wrexham County Borough Council Municipal Waste Strategy is approved by
the Welsh Assembly Government and implemented by Wrexham County Borough
Council.
that the authority achieves that following
a.
9% of household waste recycled
b.
7% of household green waste composted
c.
24,000 households receiving a kerbside recycling service
d.
30 Neighbourhood recycling sites operational
e.
800 home composters sold.
Budget
In 2003/04 the Authority received from the Welsh Assembly Government Specific Grant of
£885,581 and Supplementary Credit Approval (SCA) of £201,268 for waste management.
The Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed an allocation of £860,032 in respect of the
Specific Grant for 2004/05.
The cost of implementing the waste strategy will be met from a combination of Specific
Grant, Supplementary Credit Approval and the Department’s revenue budget.
2.3
Consultation
In the document, Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies in Wales, the Welsh
Assembly Government required the Authority to consult residents on waste management
issues. A questionnaire, approved by the Executive Board on 11 March 2003 (Report No.
DES/05/03), was sent to all households in the County Borough, in July 2003.
Key results from the survey indicated that residents would;
i
prefer a more frequent collection of recyclable materials,
ii
prefer a greater range of recyclable materials collected and
iii
accept a form of Waste to Energy, providing that all materials possible had been
recycled or composted first.
Data from the survey have been incorporated into the Strategy. A copy of the questionnaire
is attached at Appendix 1 and the results of the survey are attached at Appendix 2.
2.4
Scrutiny Committee Comment
At the Executive Board meeting 11 March 2003 the Draft Waste Strategy was discussed
(Report No. DES/05/03), Members resolved to refer the Draft Waste Strategy to the
Environmental and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (Minute 441(ii)). The Wrexham
County Borough Council Draft Municipal Waste Strategy was discussed by the Environment
and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee at the following meetings
i
25 June 2003, the Chief Community Services Officer submitted a Report
(CCSO/11/03S) requesting the Committee to scrutinise the Draft Waste Strategy for
Wrexham and a presentation outlining the contents of the document and legislative
2
ii
iii
iv
2.5
background was made by the Senior Technical Officer (Waste Management).
Members noted the contents of the Report.
15 September 2003, the Chief Community Services Officer submitted a Report
(CCSO/20/03S) advising the Committee of the results of the public consultation
exercise conducted as part of the Council’s Draft Waste Strategy. Members agreed
(Minute 20 (i)) that in relation to Question 5 of the Waste Strategy Questionnaire
further information be provided to the Scrutiny Committee for it to consider other
processes which dealt with the remaining waste after recycling had taken place. The
Scrutiny Committee agreed, “that as part of this process, consultation take place, at
Officer and Member levels, with the public and interested parties.” Minute 20 (ii).
14 October 2003, Members of the Scrutiny Committee were joined by representatives
of Trefnu Cymunedol Cymru (TCC), the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales,
the Dee Borders Waste Action Group and the Ruabon Action Group. A presentation
was made concerning residual waste by members of the various groups.
22 October 2003, Members considered a Report (DES/38/03S) from the Director of
Environmental Services, entitled “Processes which deal with waste after recycling has
taken place.” The Committee recommended, “that having considered other
processes, including those suggested by the public and interested parties, which
dealt with waste after recycling had taken place, the Council continue to
progress the solution identified in the HLC/Compact Power proposal.”
Further Information
2.5.1 Copies of an interim Draft Municipal Waste Strategy were made available to
Members in March 2003.
2.5.2 The Strategy is part of the statutory requirements for the production of a
National Waste Strategy. Various legislative requirements to be considered
when compiling the document are listed at Annex 1,Part Two of Wise about
Waste.
2.5.3 The Municipal Waste Strategy for Wrexham County Borough has been
produced in accordance with the information published in the Welsh Assembly
Government document “Guidance on Municipal Waste Management
Strategies in Wales, August 2002. The document contains the Authority’s
Recycling Plan, produced in accordance with the Authority’s statutory duty
under Section 49 of the Environmental Protection Act, 1990. The Welsh
Assembly Government has given a high priority to the management of litter in
Wales. The Litter Plan is contained in the Authority’s Draft Waste Strategy.
2.5.4 The authority is required to submit a revised Waste Strategy in 2007.
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RECOMMENDATION
That Members:
i
ii
approve the contents of the Strategy and
agree to the finalised document being sent to the Welsh Assembly.
4
REASONS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION
The Authority is obliged to produce a Municipal Waste Strategy by the Welsh assembly
Government.
3
5
BACKGROUND PAPERS
i
Wise about Waste, The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Part One. Published by
the Welsh Assembly Government, June 2002.
Wise about Waste, The National Waste Strategy for Wales, Part Two, Technical
Annex. Published by the Welsh Assembly Government, June 2002. Published by the
Welsh Assembly Government, June 2002.
Guidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies in Wales. Published by the
Welsh Assembly Government August 2002.
ii
iii
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WEBSITE INFORMATION
None
4
Appendix 2
1
The key points of the results of the questionnaire are summarised as follows :-
Recycling Collection

95% of respondents would be willing to separate out dry recyclables from other
rubbish.

95% of respondents thought that the Council should collect dry recyclables from
the kerbside.

93% of residents would increase the amount that they recycled if the Council
collected dry recyclables from their homes.
Garden Waste Collection

89% of households who had a garden would be willing to separate out dry
recyclables from other rubbish.

92% of residents would increase the amount that they recycled if the Council
collected garden rubbish from their home.

82% believed that the Council should offer a garden waste collection.
Home Composting
 77% of households agreed that the Council should encourage the use of home
compost bins.
 The sale of home compost bins would encourage 41% or residents to compost more at
home.
Neighbourhood Recycling Sites

85% thought that the Council should provide neighbourhood recycling facilities.
72% of respondents stated that they would recycle more if Neighbourhood
Recycling Sites were closer to their home.
Education

93% of respondents agreed that the Council should raise public awareness on
recycling and waste.

57% stated information on waste matters would encourage them to recycle
more.
Containers

With regards the question of containers that respondents would like to have for
the collection of recyclables, the results show residents are clearly in favour of
wheeled bins for both dry recyclables (50% and garden waste (59%).
Waste to Energy

69% of respondents agreed with the proposed strategy to produce energy
through a thermal treatment process after recycling and composting as much rubbish
as possible compared to 14% who disagreed with this strategy.
Household Waste Sites (Civic Amenity Sites)

89% of residents agreed that the Council should make improvements to
Household Waste Sites (Civic Amenity Sites).

88% stated that recycling facilities being available at the Household Waste Sites
would influence them to increase the amount of rubbish that they recycled.
5
Collated Data from Waste Strategy Questionnaire
Question 1 – How willing would you be to do the following, to increase the amount of
rubbish that is recycled or composted?
Would you be prepared to separate your newspapers, plastic bottles and tins from other
rubbish?
Very Willing
83.2%
Fairly Willing
12.0%
Fairly Unwilling
1.4%
Very Unwilling
2.2%
Blank
1.2%
If you have a garden, would you be prepared to separate your garden rubbish from other
rubbish?
Very Willing
77.8%
Fairly Willing
10.8%
Fairly Unwilling
1.3%
Very Unwilling
2.2%
Blank
7.9%
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Question 2– Would any of the following services influence you to increase the amount of
rubbish you recycle or compost?
The Council collecting rubbish from your home, that you have separated for recycling (for
example newspapers, plastic bottles and tins)
Yes
92.8%
No
4.6%
Blank
2.5%
The Council collecting garden rubbish from your home, that you have separated for
composting
Yes
78.5%
No
13.3%
Blank
8.3%
Being able to buy a home composter from the Council.
Yes
41.0%
No
44.2%
Blank
14.9%
Recycling facilities being available at Household Waste Centres (Civic Amenity Sites)
Yes
61.1%
No
26.9%
Blank
12.0%
Recycling facilities (e.g. paper, glass or clothing banks) located near your home
Yes
72.3%
No
18.3%
Blank
9.4%
Information on waste matters
Yes
56.7%
No
27.0%
Blank
16.3%
Question 3 If you were separating dry rubbish for recycling at home, for example
newspapers, plastic bottles and tins, how would you prefer to store each type of rubbish
ready for collection?
Plastic Sacks
30.0%
Boxes
18.0%
Wheeled Bins
49.8%
Blank
2.2%
Question 4 If you were separating garden rubbish for composting, how would you prefer to
store it?
Home Composter
34.4%
Wheeled Bins
59.4%
Blank
6.2%
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Question 5 – To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following elements of the
Council’s proposed way forward for dealing with our rubbish?
After recycling and composting as much rubbish as possible
Use the remaining rubbish to produce energy through a thermal treatment process
such as a modern waste incinerator or a pyrolysis and gasification system, before any
rubbish is landfilled
Strongly agree
43.2%
Tend to agree
25.6%
Tend to disagree
5.5%
Strongly disagree
8.8%
Don’t know
10.0%
Blank
6.9%
Education The Council should raise public awareness about recycling and waste
minimisation
Strongly agree
71.9%
Tend to agree
21.2%
Tend to disagree
1.0%
Strongly disagree
0.7%
Don’t know
1.0%
Blank
4.4%
Home Composting – The Council should encourage the use of home composters
Strongly agree
45.9%
Tend to agree
31.4%
Tend to disagree
8.6%
Strongly disagree
2.2%
Don’t know
5.5%
Blank
6.4%
Kerbside Collection – The Council should collect recyclables that I have separated at
home (eg newspapers, plastics and tins)
Strongly agree
83.5%
Tend to agree
11.1%
Tend to disagree
1.1%
Strongly disagree
1.0%
Don’t know
0.6%
Blank
2.7%
Garden Waste Collection – The Council should collect green waste that I have separated
for composting
Strongly agree
61.3%
Tend to agree
20.5%
Tend to disagree
6.2%
Strongly disagree
2.5%
Don’t know
1.9%
Blank
7.5%
Provision – The Council should provide Neighbourhood Recycling Centres
Strongly agree
61.6
Tend to agree
23.8
Tend to disagree
4.6%
Strongly disagree
1.8%
Don’t know
2.8%
8
Blank
5.4%
Improvements – The Council should make improvements to Household Waste Sites (
Civic Amenity Sites) including access, opening hours and a range of rubbish that can
be recycled
Strongly agree
65.0%
Tend to agree
23.9%
Tend to disagree
2.2%
Strongly disagree
0.7%
Don’t know
2.7%
Blank
5.5%
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