Issue - meetings

ES20346

The report was presented to the committee by the Head of Environmental Strategy, Technical Support and Commissioning. The report detailed changes in legislation to prevent households from being charged for the disposal of small scale DIY waste at household reuse and recycling centres.

A Member expressed concern that the proposal would not be able to be policed effectively. He said that he was concerned about long queues developing and would support the introduction of a booking system. Another Member expressed concern around the abuse of staff and whether or not this could get worse. She also expressed a preference for the introduction of a booking system. The Head of Environmental Strategy, Technical Support and Commissioning answered and said that in terms of abuse, the main offenders were individuals using large tipper type vans, and so to deal with this it was proposed to restrict the type and the height of vehicles entering the Household Re-use and Recycling Centres. A Member enquired as to how any changes would be publicised, and it was noted the leaflets would be produced and the council website would be updated.

A Member enquired about possible administrative costs. He was informed that the attendants at the reuse and recycling centres would be using a tablet and that there would be no cost to the council. Monitoring would be undertaken to see if the new proposals positively affected the levels of fly tipping. The implementation of the new proposals would be reviewed in July and the fly tipping report would come back to the committee in September. A Member asked if the new proposals and details could be promoted in the council magazine.

RESOLVED that:

1) The Environment Portfolio Holder acknowledge the changes in legislation and the change in practice at the two Household Reuse and Recycling Centres in Bromley.

2) The Environment Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree to the changes proposed at the Household Reuse and Recycling Centres and to restrict site users in using certain vehicle types from the 1st of March 2024.