Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Andrew Fear.

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved:     That Councillor David Loades be elected vice-chairman of the panel.

The aim of the Recycling and Waste Strategy Cabinet Panel is to review the current recycling and waste service, and to investigate, discuss and develop recommendations for the direction and structure of the recycling and waste service post 2016 for seven to fourteen years.

Resolved:     That the aim of the panel be confirmed as:-

To review the current recycling and waste service, and to investigate, discuss and develop recommendations for the direction and structure of the recycling and waste service post 2016 for seven to fourteen years.

The panel discussed the draft terms of reference submitted.  It was noted that its meetings would be held in public.  In terms of process, the panel’s recommendations would be placed before Scrutiny before ultimately being submitted to the Cabinet for decision.

The chair drew members’ attention to the behaviours set out in the draft terms of reference with a view to adding maximum value to the work of the panel.

Resolved:     That the terms of reference as submitted be agreed.

To identify areas members would like to investigate or increase knowledge due in visits, meetings or research.

The panel was guided through a workshop session by Trevor Nicoll, Head of Recycling and Fleet Services, to ascertain the key areas where members would need to build knowledge and undertake research in order to equip them to add maximum value to the work of the panel.

The following questions and issues were raised by members during the exercise:-

·              What is the legal framework?

·              Payback costs

·              With the current collection system how much time/money do we spend cleaning up the streets when paper flies everywhere?

·              Alternative processes

·              How our paper and cardboard is processed

·              Visit to Acton to look at composting

·              Visit to the Gnosall plant to see how the digester performs

·              Visit to Gnosall plant

·              Clothing – sorting – where does it go?

·              Update on new technology (disposal of waste)

·              Hot Lane, Burslem to look at where recycling ends up

·              Look at bring sites

·              What would be the cost of providing bins that are sectioned to take different recycling waste (as on the continent)?

·              Further afield – visits within reach where statistics are better

·              Visits to councils which do a full in-house service

·              Find an alternative to the recycling containers we have currently (blue bags fly everywhere in high winds)

·              Bring sites

·              Trade waste recycling

·              Authorities with lots of terraced houses and flats

·              Visits for co-mingling

·              What can be recycled?

·              Home management

·              Visit to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council to see how they manage with the ‘one bin for all recyclable items’ system

·              When are we going to get serious about recycling aluminium?

·              More customer friendly collections on recycling

·              Would it be more economical to use smaller bin collections more often, especially in terraced areas?

·              Want to look at co-mingled authorities again

·              Vehicle types/bin types

From the issues raised and the subsequent discussions, the following emerged as potential areas of work for the panel to undertake:-

Legislation

• Current
• Change
• Local Policies

Collection Methods

• Kerbside sort – Cheshire West and Chester
• Fully co-mingled – Cheshire East
• Hybrid system
  • Stafford
  • Stockport
• Food – separate, co-mingled, or none
• Chargeable green waste
• Collection periods
• Additional material
  • Textiles
  • Waste electrical and electronic equipment
  • Batteries

Treatment Options

• Materials recovery facility
• Window
• Anaerobic digestion
• In-vessel composting
• Energy from waste
• Landfill
• Stoke solution

Costing

• Vehicle
• Staffing
• Treatment
• Value of material
• Support – Customer Services

Procurement

• Timescales
• Challenge
• Partnership
• In-house
  • Best Value
• Outsourced
  • Tendering requirement
  • Tendering methods with constraints

Consultations

• Education
• When
• Size
• Type

o       Focus groups

o       Questionnaire

o       Public meeting

Review of Current Service

• System
• Cost of service
• Residents
• Success/failure
• Additional services
  • Bring site
  • Bulky collection
  • Sweeping

Resolved:     That the above findings be used to formulate a provisional programme and schedule of work for the panel, and this be submitted to the next meeting.

The panel discussed the availability of members for meetings and site visits and officers noted members’ various commitments and general availability.  Wednesdays from late morning onwards emerged as the most favourable day/time for site visits.

Resolved:     That, taking account of members’ availability, a provisional programme of meetings and visits covering the coming six months be prepared and submitted to the next meeting.