Issue - meetings

A Member expressed the view that the Council's targets in terms of waste disposal and collection were quite stretching, which meant that the Council didn't always meet those targets; and he wondered what could be done to change this. The Head of Performance Management & Business Support, informed the Committee that in terms of waste arising/collection--the tonnes were decreasing to pre COVID levels over the last Quarter, however the performance thresholds would remain the same next year in line with the Portfolio Plan.

A Member wondered if the Committee could help in terms of any policy decisions concerning potential new ways of working (which may enable the Council to get back on track in terms of hitting its waste targets). A Member highlighted an experience that he recently had when he was driving around trying to dispose of cardboard. He experienced problems doing this, as multiple paper recycling bins were full. He suggested that an electronic chip be placed in the large recycling containers, which could then send a signal when they were full.

The Head of Neighbourhood Management  responded and said that the Council did have comprehensive collection schedules, but this sort of thing could be looked into and he asked the Member that had experienced the recycling issues to email him the details so that he could investigate further. He explained that the matter of using electronic chips had been trialled in 2005/2006 for street litter bins, but there had been problems with the technology. It was also the case that the possibility of using electronic chips was not part of the current Veolia contract. He pointed out that the Council could make a charge for large cardboard collections under the provisions of the Controlled Waste Regulations. 

A  Member suggested that a prize could be awarded to any young person that could come up with a plan to improve the waste collection service at the Council’s recycling banks and that this would be good for community engagement.

A Member commented that members of the public should be reminded to break up their cardboard for ease of collection and this could be highlighted in the Council’s magazine ‘Environment Matters’.

RESOLVED that the ECS Performance Overview Update be noted.