Agenda item

(Environment Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-032-2009/10).

(1)        That the new waste management policy statements numbers (1) to (6) be agreed and adopted;

(2)        That waste management policy statement number (7) and specifically the arrangements therein for dealing with requests for additional garden waste capacity be agreed and adopted; and

(3)        That the future consideration of further policies relating to lost, damaged and stolen containers, and policies relating to flats and communal buildings be noted.

The Environment Portfolio Holder presented a report regarding the proposed new Waste Management Policies.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the Council had introduced a number of waste management policies following the implementation of the original wheeled bin service, which had dealt with issues around the size of containers, closed lids and contamination. With the implementation of the new waste management service in September 2009, it was essential that these policies were reviewed and amended to reflect the new service and current operational circumstances. It was highlighted to the Cabinet that policy statement number 7 – the Exception Policy – had been further revised in respect of a second food and garden waste wheeled bin for larger residences and had been re-issued on a supplementary agenda. Food waste wrapped in newspaper would be accepted if compostable bags were not available.

In response to queries from the members present, the Director for Environment & Street Scene emphasised that initially the Council was attempting to be strict initially about using the correct container for the correct waste. There was a health & safety issue regarding the collection of wheeled bins with partially opened lids, however it was hoped that common sense would prevail at the time of collection. Policy statement number 5 would be amended to make clear that dry recyclables would be collected provided it was within a clear plastic sack and not necessarily the official sacks supplied by the Council. The late revisions to policy statement number 7 were welcomed by the Cabinet, and it was noted that further waste management policies would be forthcoming in due course.

Decision:

(1)        That the new waste management policy statements numbers (1) to (6) be agreed and adopted;

(2)        That waste management policy statement number (7) and specifically the arrangements therein for dealing with requests for additional garden waste capacity be agreed and adopted; and

(3)        That the future consideration of further policies relating to lost, damaged and stolen containers, and policies relating to flats and communal buildings be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To implement new and amended waste management policies in time for the introduction of the new waste service in September 2009. It was critical to the success of the new scheme that residents, the contractor and waste management officers had a clear set of operational polices agreed and in place.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

To retain the existing policies, amend the proposed policies or manage the service with no policies in place.