Agenda item

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.

Members sought clarification on the range of options that had been considered prior to establishing an option for consultation. In response, it was confirmed that work had been ongoing for a number of months and those had included reviewing privatisation, but that had been discounted because of the timescales involved.

Reference was made to the Manvers facility where recyclate was sorted and Members queried why sorting was being prioritised at the kerbside, rather than having all sorting done at Manvers and being assured that co-mingling of recyclate would not be an issue. In response, it was explained that the preferred approach was to reiterate the principles of reduce, re-use and recycle and that sorting at the kerbside reduced the likelihood of waste entering the system.

Members queried whether more could be done to deal with leaves through composting. In response, it was confirmed that compost material was not produced at the Manvers facility and it was difficult to be proactive in composting leaves from highways due to the chemicals from diesel vehicles.

Referring to the proposal to charge for green waste collection, Members sought to understand how the authority would police and prevent green waste being deposited in refuse bins. In response, it was explained that the new refuse bin would be smaller and to include green waste would reduce capacity for other waste. The Council would be keen to hear during the consultation how more can be done to encourage composting. In respect of policing, if green waste was identified in a refuse bin, the authority would contact the resident to ask them to sort it out, but it would be difficult to do this if the green waste were at the bottom of a bin in a black bag. It was noted that the Council was not proposing to issue fines in such cases.

Member sought assurances in respect of how the Council would undertake the consultation. In response, it was explained that the intention was to write to every property in the borough with a factual breakdown of the proposals and how residents can engage in the consultation. In addition, drop in events were being investigated in localities, as well as using social media to get the message out that the consultation was underway.

It was explained that the proposals had been developed in response to concerns that had been expressed in respect of the service. There was an awareness of the financial constraints and the need to improve recycling rates. It was explained that the overall cost of the service was £11million per annum and the cost of replacing bins would be £1.4million, which would generate an overall saving of around £1.3million.

In response to a question from Members in respect of having a backup plan, it was explained that the consultation was on the preferred option and how that can be made to work. A great deal of work was still being undertaken to drive improvements and examples were given in respect of reductions in missed bin collections and increased fuel efficiency from some of the changes that had been made. The Council was learning from the experiences of other authorities to improve the service and deliver efficiencies.  

Reference was made to the way in which communications could be used to reduce co-mingling and ensure that capacity in bins was maximised. An example was given of plastic bottles containing air which reduced capacity. If the bottle were cut or flattened then that would help to increase capacity in the refuse bin. It was agreed that information and education around recycling and waste disposal was something which could be looked at and improved.

Members requested that the equality impact assessment be brought back to the Board following the conclusion of the consultation. Following on, assurance was sought that the proposed eight-week period of consultation would be sufficiently long enough to inform the decision on what was likely to be viewed as a radical change. It was explained that an eight-week consultation period was longer than normal and assurances were provided that the Council was prepared for the level of response that the consultation was likely to generate. It was noted that no change was proposed in respect of assisted bin collections.

Further assurances were sought in respect of how the Council would enable people whose first language was not English to be aware and participate in the consultation exercise. It was explained that it was proposed for the consultation documents to only be available in English and Members indicated that they would require assurance that work would be undertaken with minority groups whose first language was not English. A commitment was provided that this would be done.

Resolved:-

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

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