Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Head of Operations on changes to the Council’s Waste Collection Policies.

Endorsed the contents of the waste collection policies document

The Cabinet considered a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which was attached a proposed waste collection policies document which brings together the Council’s 29 policies relating to waste into a single document.

The document has been discussed by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) arising from which some concern had been expressed over the prohibition of stickers on the bin given the opportunity to convey messages such as local speed restrictions.  In stressing that they were not in favour of notices being attached to bins, Executive Councillors acknowledged that a local speedwatch group were currently trialling a pilot initiative in Huntingdonshire and that their findings would be reported to the Waste Collections Working Group. 

In response to the Overview and Scrutiny’s comment over the use of purple stickers on wheeled bins to identify properties where residents require assistance, Executive Councillors were of the opinion that there was no evidence that this identifies vulnerable residents. Furthermore, work would be commencing soon on the introduction of in-cab technology to enable collection crews to identity such properties so the need for purple stickers would be removed.

Having noted that the Panel would be considering ways of improving general communications in relation to waste collection, the Cabinet

RESOLVED

  that the contents of the Waste Collection Policies Document be endorsed.

To receive a report by the Head of Operations on changes to the Council’s Waste Collection Policies.

(Councillor D M Tysoe, Executive Councillor for the Environment, was in attendance for this item.)

Councillor D M Tysoe introduced a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the Council’s waste collection policies which had been collated and some changes were suggested.  The collated policies were intended to provide clarity to residents as to the type and extent of service they could expect.  Members welcomed the fact that the Council’s waste collection policies would now be available in a single document. 

Members endorsed the proposal to provide paper sacks for food/green waste to properties currently receiving weekly bag collections. The sacks would be collected fortnightly to fit in with existing collection rounds, which would remove the need for additional vehicles and crews to collect them.  Members also supported the proposal to collect non-hazardous clinical waste through the normal grey bin arrangements, which would result in further savings.  They then recommended that the Council should develop and publicise guidance on how items which were prohibited from wheeled bins and sacks, should be disposed of.  Further to this it was suggested that advice should be made available on how to dispose of batteries and razor blades through the Council’s service. 

Members’ attention was drawn to Policy 22 which prohibited stickers on wheeled bins.  Members expressed the view that the use of stickers could provide an opportunity to convey messages that had community benefits, such as local speed restrictions. This happened in South Cambridgeshire and was supported by the Police.  Councillor D M Tysoe advised that a pilot initiative was taking place in Huntingdonshire.  In this light, Members recommended that, subject to feedback from the local community, this practice should be adopted in Huntingdonshire. 

Members discussed the feasibility of removing the purple stickers on wheeled bins that identified residents whom required assistance.  They were concerned that the stickers identified vulnerable residents and as such could potentially create a crime hazard.  The Panel was advised that the introduction of in-cab technology would enable collection crews to identify properties where residents required assistance so the need for purple stickers would be removed.  Work on introducing in-cab technology would commence once route optimisation was completed. 

The Panel supported improved communications in relation to waste collection.  Members noted that a comprehensive communication exercise would take place towards the end of the year to explain new collection arrangements.  Further to this, the Panel’s Waste Collection Working Group would be looking at ways of improving general communication in relation to waste collection.

RESOLVED

  that the Waste Collection Policies be endorsed for submission to the Cabinet.