Agenda item

(Director of Governance) to consider the attached report.

D Macnab reported that 12 KPIs fell within the responsibly of this SC. Of these 3 were not meeting targets – NE1001 (How much non-recycled waste was collected for every household in the district?), NE1003 (What percentage of our district had unacceptable levels of litter?) and NE1013 (What percentage of all household waste was sent to be recycled or reuse?).

Councillor J H Whitehouse asked why NE1003 had not been achieved. Councillor S Neville remarked that there were unacceptable levels of litter in his ward and that bins were regularly overflowing so they had not been monitored sufficiently. Councillor W Breare-Hall was sorry to hear about this and wanted to know which bins were affected. He was disappointed with this figure and would take it up with Biffa.

Councillor N Bedford asked how was this measured. Q Durrani replied that random samples were taken by different officers and that the District was divided up. Litter bins in busier areas such as in high streets were emptied on a weekly or daily basis. He commented that when you looked at other districts, the level of litter was much lower in this District, which had to meet a very aggressive target. Biffa had achieved much but the situation should not be like this as there was an urban mix. Councillor M Sartin commended the Council for its work.

Councillor J Lea asked if this was affected by the problem that happened at amenity centres where car occupants dropped rubbish in bins. Q Durrani replied that ECC had not found a link between the increase in fly-tipping and the District, and this kind of fly-tipping would have been residual waste. D Macnab said that it was very difficult to accept as the trend on fly-tipping was already increasing, so had not changed. Councillor H Whitbread asked to what extent the Council worked with Macdonalds and other food takeaway outlets on litter. Q Durrani commented that there were new initiatives and this was a challenge with takeaways and those with a drive thru. Councillor H Brady asked if building waste / rubble was coming out of London, had London boroughs done the same as ECC by not allowing builders’ waste at amenity sites. Also, regarding unscrupulous developers / builders, Nazeing and Roydon had been badly affected by fly-tippers and waste had even included asbestos. She struggled to accept that this was residential. If small builders were doing this then were all counties doing the same as ECC. Q Durrani said that waste should be disposed of responsibly. G Shiell asked if it was worth talking to Macdonalds at Hastingwood. Councillor N Bedford commented that North Weald Parish Council did have a team but it was the vehicle occupants using the drive thru that chucked the rubbish out of the window. Councillor S Neville said that every part of the waste should be biodegradable.

            RESOLVED:

That the Select Committee reviewed and noted Quarter 1 Performance in relation to the key performance indicators within its areas of responsibility.