Issue - meetings

Report ES14096

Members considered a proposed revision to the Green Garden Waste (GGW) Satellite service.

In recent years GGW tonnages collected at satellite sites had reduced.  Provisional 2014 tonnages suggest that tonnages might have risen slightly, but were still projected to be lower than tonnages in 2012. GGW tonnages delivered by residents to the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) had also declined since 2010 (although good weather this year had seen a slight rise in tonnages).

With over 15,000 customers having subscribed to the GGW collection service and new customers subscribing monthly, the original objective of the Satellite Sites – to address congestion issues near the HWRC sites – had become less crucial. Improvements to customer areas at the HWRC sites had also helped to address congestion pressures.

Two options were therefore proposed as savings to the GGW Satellite service:

Option 1: Open 3 sites on Saturdays and 2 different sites on Sundays between April and November with an annual saving of £136k;

Option 2: Open 3 sites on Saturdays and 2 different sites on Sundays between April and October with an annual saving of £151k.

The cost of operating the sites is highest on Sundays due to additional wage costs for Sunday working. Sunday opening hours are also more limited due to restrictions on HWRC opening hours and the need to empty vehicles ready for normal Monday work. With more sites open on Saturdays, site availability will also be maximised to avoid congestion.

The proposed service change also assumed that the sites would be operated one weekend each January to enable residents to recycle Christmas trees, with three sites open on Saturday and two open on the Sunday.

Where necessary the operating day of a site could also be changed during a particular weekend e.g. switching the day for Charles Darwin from Saturday to Sunday to avoid a Saturday open day at the school. Contingency measures would also be available should fly-tipping increase. 

Councillor Mellor (Copers Cope), attending as a visiting Member, referred to a number of comments received from residents in Copers Cope ward. These included concern over the level of consultation. Two elderly residents, without online access, had not been advised of the proposed change. Financial constraints were recognised but it was also necessary to consider the concerns of residents. There was also a view that the HWRCs would not be able to cope with an increased demand. Some pensioners might also find an annual £60 fee for the collection scheme difficult to afford. Based on financial considerations, Councillor Mellor suggested that Option 2 provided a more favourable option, delivering savings to both residents and the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor Benington, also a visiting Member, it was confirmed that a spare vehicle was available for GGW, although for satellite site collections, fewer vehicles would be necessary in future. Councillor Benington highlighted the high level of courtesy and flexibility of staff at the Charles Darwin site.

Members considered the proposed service change,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30