Issue - meetings

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Recommendations:-

1.      That the outcomes of the consultation on the proposed House to House Collections Policy be noted.

2.      That the revised House to House Collection Policy be adopted and approved.

Consideration was given to the report which detailed the findings of a public consultation carried out to seek views on key elements of a proposed House to House Collections Policy. In particular, the Council was keen to understand what levels of returns to charities the public expected when making donations,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69

Cabinet Portfolio:                 Waste, Roads and Community Safety

Strategic Directorate:           Regeneration and Environment

Consideration was given to a report which was submitted by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment and was due to be determined by the Cabinet at its meeting on 21 October 2019. The report detailed the findings of a public consultation carried out to seek views on key elements of a proposed House to House Collections Policy. Members noted that the Council had been keen to understand what levels of returns to charities the public expected when making donations, and in addition, the times at which collections might be considered to be reasonable. The proposed House to House Collections Policy reflected the findings of the consultation and was recommended for adoption.

Members welcomed the policy but expressed concerns about the cut off time being 1900 hours, which they felt was too late. Members also felt it was important to encourage licence holders to use recyclable plastic bags under the policy. In response, it was explained that the concern around the cut off time of 1900 was a valid point. It was further explained that the law did not allow the authority to enforce provisions regarding the use of recyclable plastic bags, but the policy could potentially be amended to expect collections to be done in a reasonable way.  

Resolved:-

1.    That Cabinet be advised that the recommendations be supported.

2.    That consideration be given to amending the policy to restrict collection times during Greenwich Mean Time to 1600 hours, whilst retaining the limit of 1900 hours during British Summer Time.

3.    That consideration be given to encouraging the use of recyclable collections bags, where practicable, through the House to House Collections Policy.