Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from councillor’ Beech, Owen and Woolley.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March, 2018 be

agreed as a correct record.

Members stated that the visit to South Staffs had been both impressive and informative.

Members discussed the visit and agreed that more needed to be done to improve the service at Newcastle.  Members felt that it would be beneficial to see the overall cost of implementing a system where recyclate was co-mingled and what the Authority saved by splitting everything at the kerbside.

In addition, the pros and cons and costings of both the current system and co-mingled would be useful to make a comparison.  The Council’s Head of Recycling and Fleet Services, Mr Andrew Bird, stated that the group should also look at a two stream (keeping paper separate) collection system, which would fit between the current service, and a fully comingled service.

A suggestion was made to carry out a publicity project and to use social media.  Furthermore, a project to reinvigorate the schools was suggested.

The Chair stated that the containers that were currently being used for the collection of recyclable materials needed to be reviewed.  In addition, food waste disposal also needed to be re-examined. 

Resolved:     That the information be received.

The Council’s Head of Recycling and Fleet Services,  advised Members that a proposal had been requested by  Cabinet to introduce a split bodied vehicle for streets with restricted access due to parked vehicles etc.  The vehicle would have two compartments -  one for   glass, cans and plastic, the other for paper and card, effectively a two stream recycling collection

The Collection Manager/supervisors are being asked to highlight streets where collections were difficult. It is proposed the split bodied vehicle would trialled for a minimum six month period  through the hiring of a vehicle and would then be reviewed after the trial.  The trial would hopefully commence in mid  May, 2018.

Resolved:     That the information be received,

A powerpoint presentation will be given

A Presentation was given by Mr Bird on the EU Circular Economy Package and Deposit Return Schemes (DRS).  A copy of the presentation would be forwarded to Members.

Members were advised that the UK would adopt the EU wide economy package.  The presentation outlined the key features for the options.

Members were also advised that the government had confirmed  the introduction of a DRS with the main focus being to reduce litter.

Resolved:     That the information be received.

The trial using the split back refuse collection vehicles would commence  during  May, 2018.

Look at the options for the current service in both the short and longer term, up to the end of life of the current vehicle fleet..

Model the different collection/processing methods.

• Current Service – Source Separate Collections
• Two Stream Collections – Paper separate
• Fully comingled Collection.

Look at different ways of Communicating with residents, and reengage with schools.

Look at more effective ways of tagging and labelling bins with important information/notices.

Resolved:     That the comments be noted.

There was no other business.

The next meeting will be held on 7 June, 2018 at 2pm at the Knutton Lane Depot.