Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment

Cabinet Member:     Councillor Hoddinott

Commissioner:         Kenny (in advisory role)

Recommendations:

1.    That consultation with the residents of Rotherham on proposed changes to household waste and recycling collection services be approved.

2.    That a further report be submitted in February 2018 to report on the outcome of the consultation and present the recommended options for approval.

Consideration was given to the report which sought approval to carry out consultation on proposed changes to the Council’s waste collection service.

Waste collection services in Rotherham have developed over the last fourteen years and currently consisted of a hybrid of previous kerbside sorting regimes and current collection operations.

The Council was keen to consider how the service could be modernised ensuring full consideration was given to maximising recycling and reducing costs and the views of residents on a range of improvements would be sought on:-

·       Materials for recycling and the use of wheeled bins.

·       Residual waste.

·       Garden waste.

The eight week consultation, commencing on 27^th November 2018 would ensure customers understood the proposed changes, the reasons for them and communicate how they could contribute to the consultation. Engagement would take place using a combination of drop-in sessions and online feedback. Communications around the proposed changes and the subsequent consultation would be undertaken using a combination of mechanisms, including social media, traditional media and printed material.

Details of the proposed changes for consultation demonstrating how waste collections could be provided in the future over a rolling four week period were outlined.

In terms of garden waste the consultation process included the introduction of a full year round charged green waste collection on an opt-in subscription basis of around £40 per annum.

Cabinet Members sought clarification on the recycling of plastic at kerbside and whether or not this was to be included.  It was noted that the waste treatment facility at Manvers currently extracted plastic material and to include this at kerbside was prohibitive due to cost.

Engagement with the public would include a number of drop-in sessions and online feedback, but in addition all households would be written to and given the opportunity to comment on the proposals.

Concerns over the capacity of the residual waste bin and the proposals for this to be reduced were as a result of the improved facilities for recycling.

This report had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as part of the pre-scrutiny process who were in support of the recommendations, subject to further consideration being given to consultation on the waste options appraisal with newly arrived communities and those who did not have English as a first language and that the outcome of the consultation and final proposals be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board prior to the final decision.

Resolved:-  (1)  That consultation with the residents of Rotherham on proposed changes to household waste and recycling collection services be approved.

(2)  That further consideration be given to how newly arrived communities and those who do not have English as a first language are consulted on the Waste Option Appraisal.

(3)  That the outcome of the consultation and final proposals be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board prior to the final decision.

(4)  That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet in February 2018 to report on the outcome of the consultation and the recommended options for approval.