Agenda item

To seek approval for the adoption of the Council’s new Waste Management Strategy. The strategy outlines a series of actions to enhance waste management, implementing broader measures to reduce waste generation, improve recycling rates, and enhance the local environment.

Resolved that:

·       The recommendation is to approve the adoption of the new Waste Management Strategy, attached as Appendix C.

·       This decision includes endorsing the strategic actions outlined in the strategy to improve waste management across West Berkshire. Key elements include

o   changing the frequency of black bin collections from once every fortnight to once every three weeks

o   reviewing the container provision for recyclable waste

o   implementing broader measures to reduce waste, improve recycling rates, and enhance the improving the local street scene

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·     the item has been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission or has been the subject of a review undertaken by another body within the preceding six months.

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

Councillor Stuart Gourley introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 8), which sought approval for the adoption of the Council’s new Waste Management Strategy. Councillor Gourley recognised the importance of the waste service to residents but suggested that this should not restrict looking to improve the efficiency of the service and striving for the disposal of waste and recycling to be the most effective and efficient that it could be.

It was highlighted that the Strategy set out the Council’s key priorities and themes until 2032. It was noted that there had been considerable consultation with several stakeholders, including public consultation, public meetings and review by Scrutiny Commission. Councillor Gourley thanked all residents that had participated in the consultation.

Councillor Adrian Abbs commented that he would not be recommending the Strategy for approval if he had remained Portfolio Holder for Climate Action, Recycling and Biodiversity. He noted that the overwhelming feedback from residents was not to move to a three-weekly collection. Councillor Abbs queried why the Council was not considering alternatives, and why the Council was requiring residents to separate more waste when there were barriers to doing so. Councillor Gourley responded that the number of kerbside containers had not increased, and that the recently launched pots, tubs and trays would be contained by the existing plastic collection boxes.

Councillor Abbs queried why a report on alternatives had not been produced.  Councillor Gourley responded that he preferred that the Council took the approach of recycling responsibly to ensure that the recycling remained in the UK. He commented that the better the quality of the recycling, the better the reuse value would be.

Councillor Abbs queried why there had been a public consultation when the response had been ignored. Councillor Gourley noted that the response to the consultation reflected that over 50% of residents could support a three-weekly collection.

Councillor Abbs suggested that it would be difficult to persuade people to use real nappies rather than disposable ones. Councillor Gourley understood the challenge but stated that the technology of reusable nappies had improved significantly. Councillor Gourley acknowledged that disposable nappies would still be preferred and urged that they be disposed of responsibly in a nappy sack and then a black bin.

Councillor Abbs suggested that it would be difficult to change residents’ habits. Councillor Gourley recognised that it may be difficult but suggested that there had probably been similar conversations when the change to fortnightly collections had been implemented. Councillor Gourley further noted that West Berkshire was not an outlier in moving to three-weekly collections.

Councillor Jo Stewart referred to the action plan and the starting date of 2026 for strengthening the commitment to combat littering and fly tipping, and queried whether it could commence sooner, with a campaign aimed at schools. Councillor Gourley reported that schools had been requested to develop an environment action plan, which would allow for close liaison with the Council and allow for some influence to highlight specific issues.

Councillor Richard Somner commented that he was speaking on behalf of the 71% of residents that did not support three weekly collections and queried whether performance would be monitored. Councillor Somner queried the timescale for reversing the decision, should the new collection rota fail. Councillor Gourley acknowledged that it would be important to monitor the change and review the Service, but that a reasonable timeframe for bedding in and supporting the change would be required before any rash decisions were made to reverse.

In response to Councillor Abbs’ earlier comments, Councillor Nigel Foot suggested that it was possible to change people’s attitudes, particularly by engaging with younger people.

In response to a query from Councillor Iain Cottingham as to how to improve the current 42% black bin recycling rate, Councillor Gourley noted that WBC were the seventeenth highest improved local authority out of 320. However, he acknowledged that the Council were still in the top twenty-five of worst Council’s in terms of rubbish per household and consequently there was a need to shift the focus from putting everything in a black bin to recycling.

Councillor Dominic Boeck queried whether the 42% figure was currently recycled by West Berkshire Council. Councillor Gourley clarified that the figure did not relate to what was currently being done but referred to 42% of black bin bag contents that could be recycled through one of the suggested routes.

Councillor Denise Gaines seconded the recommendation within the report, noting that the Strategy applied to the next eight years and set out clearly the priorities and intentions of the Council. Councillor Gaines noted that technology was always developing and in the future the level of recycling could vastly improve. Councillor Gaines also suggested that people could be persuaded to change habits through education and involving children.

RESOLVED that:

·       The recommendation is to approve the adoption of the new Waste Management Strategy, attached as Appendix C.

·       This decision includes endorsing the strategic actions outlined in the strategy to improve waste management across West Berkshire. Key elements include:

o   changing the frequency of black bin collections from once every fortnight to once every three weeks

o   reviewing the container provision for recyclable waste

o   implementing broader measures to reduce waste, improve recycling rates, and enhance the improving the local street scene.