Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received

Agreed as a true and accurate record

The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services tabled a risk assessment record which detailed the projects risks for the service.  The following three were red risks:-

1)     Failure to transfer all staff onto revised contract terms

There was a programme in place but was still deemed as a high risk.

2)     Health and safety issues at the depot

This was well managed.  There were three Heads of Service based at the depot and was a staff operated, with support of Assets.

3)     Inability to obtain planning permission for the development

of the Transfer Station

Elements were being put in place.  This was both a high risk and pivotal item that could delay the process.  It was hoped the application would be submitted to the Planning Committee in June/July 2015.

There was also the potential increase in insurance premiums.  The Borough Council would seek an insurance package during September 2015.

Train the trainer sessions would be arranged for the Supervisors, enabling them to train staff in-house.

RESOLVED:-

That an update of projected risks be bought back to the Cabinet Panel quarterly.

The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services advised that it had been agreed to consult with staff to move from a four to a five day operation.  Discussions were to commence with staff and the Union during May, with new Contracts starting July 2016.  Newcastle Borough Council would offer Acumen a revised Contract, matching Newcastle Borough Council’s terms and conditions.

Support was sought from the Union and Members relating to Bank Holiday payments.

Staffordshire County Council Pension Fund would be notified but staff did have the right not to join, if they wished.

Members felt the earlier the discussions commenced it would be better for the transitional period.

The Chair of the Staffing Committee was aware of the consultation and would be briefed during discussions with staff.  The Executive Director Operational Services advised that the remit of the Recycling and Waste Panel would be sought.

RESOLVED:-

That the remit of the Recycling and Waste Cabinet Panel be obtained in relation to staffing terms and conditions.

A discussion was held relating to the choice of colour for the three boxes.  It was agreed as follows:-

Red Box – Metals and Plastic Bottles

Blue Box – Glass, Paper, Small Electrical Items, Textiles and Batteries

Green Box – Card

Residents were to use their existing blue box with replacement boxes provided upon request.

It was felt the red and green colours best matched the existing colours; pink bags for plastics and green bag for cardboard.

The boxes had grooves for dividers, if required, and would be labelled at the side.  It was proposed to issue one bend up lid.

The boxes were designed to fit on top of one another.  Trolley boxes were being trialled and may be dispatched to residents, who had been assessed, would benefit from the service.

Collection of the boxes and caddy would take place at the same time.

A Member felt the bend up lids were not very durable and another Member had reservations on the practicalities of the boxes.

The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services advised that all the material would go through a procurement exercise.

The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services, or his staff, would be carrying out demonstrations to the Locality Action Partnerships, Parish Councils and the Residents Associations.

RESOLVED:-

(a)   That the majority of Members were in agreement with the colour of the three boxes.

(b)   That the majority of Members were in agreement, in principle, with the material going in each box, with the addition in the blue box for textiles.

A planning application would be submitted for a large shed.  Environmental Health had been engaged to carry out a noise report.

Concern was raised if highway issues had been included on the planning application.  The Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services confirmed that it had, with the service being designed to reduce impact onto the highway.

The planning application would be submitted to the Planning Committee in June 2015.  Failure to secure the planning application would jeopardise savings for the Borough Council.

RESOLVED:-

Members agreed, and were supportive, of the planning application being submitted to the Planning Committee in June 2015.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Recycling and Waste Service were successful in their application for a project award, for the full amount, of £221,000 during March 2015.  The funding was an award for residents for their contribution to recycling.  The award covered four areas:-

1.     £80,000 for recycling containers.

2.     £32,000 for additional Officer support.

3.     £65,000 for communication.

4.     £45,000 to support community based awards via the Locality Action Partnerships (LAPs) and develop a programme for the LAPs to bid for funding.  There was up to £5,000 funding available per each of the nine LAP areas.

A criterion for the process bidding would be produced.

RESOLVED:-

(a)    That Members’ were in agreement, with the correct criterion, that the residents’ award be disseminated amongst the LAPs, on a bidding process.

(b)    That the Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services develop a bid process for the LAPs and present this at a future meeting.

Currently there were three months’ supply of the green bags remaining.  The options available were:-

1.  Use a lower grade multi use bags.

2.  Any household who lose their green bag to offer them a roll of clear plastic sacks with a note explaining the reason why they were not supplied with a green bag.

3.  To start delivering green boxes.

RESOLVED:-

All Members were in agreement that the Head of Recycling, Waste and Fleet Services worked with the Borough Council’s current Contractor to identify the best practical solution and in implicating this.

Tuesday 9^th June 2015, 6.00pm, Training Room 1.