Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 May 2023 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 May 2023 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

The Chair advised that there were no members of the public or representatives of media organisations present at the meeting and there were no questions in respect of matters on the agenda.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair advised that there was no reason to exclude members of the press or public from observing the discusssion of any items on the agenda.

To receive an update report on the impact of the Environment Act 2021 on the duties and responsibilities of the Council.

Consideration was given to a report presented by the Assistant Director Community Safety and Street Scene and the Head of Environmental Services in respect of the Council’s response to changes pursuant to the Environment Act 2021. The Environment Act 2021 (the Act) strengthened the vision of the Environment Act 1995 and set new legally binding environmental targets. These targets would be monitored and enforced by a newly appointed independent body, the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP). Several policies, plans and strategies were in place to ensure these targets would be met. Implementations of the requirements of the Act could result in increased costs to the Council due to increased reporting requirements, increased collection costs, increased disposal costs and increased resource requirements. There were also income streams that could be accessed for complying with the requirements, but to ensure the maximum payment, the Service needed to be efficient and effective. To ensure that material was managed in compliance with the law, the consultations indicated there would be more emphasis on competent persons and good quality data. This would require ongoing staff training and better data capture systems. Efficient and effective management of waste would contribute to the Council’s Carbon Neutral by 2030 target.

In discussion, Members expressed support for a deposit return scheme and requested to know whether the Service were on target to implement such a scheme by the October 2025 target. The response from the Assistant Director affirmed this was in the hands of Central Government. Officers observed hat the original target had been 2024, and the response to the formal consultation undertaken in 2021 had yet to be seen, which raised doubts with regard to timescales.

Further clarification was requested around the potential for technological innovation. The response from officers noted the opportunity for reduction in single use items such as coffee cups which could instead be made of fully recyclable materials or materials that could have recyclable use. The deposit scheme focussed on plastic return schemes and cans, with extended producer responsibility regarding packaging.

Members requested more information around the consideration that had been given to pictorial guidance on recycling and waste receptacles. The response from officers noted that pictures offer a quicker reference, but sometimes not with the level of nuance required, for example, in the range of types of plastics. The waste calendar did utilise pictures.

Members noted the very challenging position of Waste Services all over the country where preparation for the future had to be undertaken without the benefit of full information or timelines. In view of this, Members sought clarification of when Rotherham will know if the exemption sought would be granted and the level of risk that the existing contract could become unviable if the exemption were not granted. The response from officers noted that the exemption is included in the Service’s risk register, as it is the most significant risk in the short term. DEFRA was supportive of the exemption. The timeline previously posited for ministerial signoff had been during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To consider any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the Commission’s consideration.

The next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on Tuesday, 11 July, 2023, commencing at 1.30 pm in Rotherham Town Hall.

Resolved:-

That the next meeting of the Improving Places Select Commission will take place on 11 July 2023 commencing at 1.30 pm.