Agenda item

To update the Scrutiny Committee on the early performance and impacts of the move to three-weekly refuse (black bin) collections, outlining how the service change is progressing following implementation in September 2025.

The report summarises initial operational outcomes, financial performance, environmental benefits, and resident engagement activity, providing assurance that the change is functioning as intended and remains aligned with the objectives set out in the Council’s Waste Management Strategy 2025–2032.

It also highlights emerging risks, lessons learned and areas requiring continued focus, enabling Scrutiny to review progress, offer necessary challenge, and consider any further actions that may support the continued successful delivery and long?term sustainability of this change.

The Committee considered the report (Agenda item 6) which provided an update on the early performance and impacts of the move to three weekly refuse (black bin) collections. The report outlined how the service change was progressing following implementation in September 2025.

Councillor Stuart Gourley (Portfolio Holder for Environment and Highways) presented the report on the implementation of the Council’s three-weekly waste collection strategy. The strategy aimed to increase recycling rates, reduce waste and achieve cost savings while addressing environmental concerns. Early outcomes showed significant progress, including reductions in black bin waste and increases in recycling participation.

Councillor Gourley thanked residents for their adaptability and highlighted the Council’s commitment to supporting those who struggled with the new system. He urged residents to come forward if they needed assistance.

Daniel Warne (Waste Manager) gave a presentation to Members which outlined the support provided to residents, lessons learnt, performance levels, and next steps.

A number of questions followed from Members, with the following points noted in response:

·       The reported reduction in vehicle mileage was discussed (an estimated 9,700 miles per year), with a query about whether it took into account mileage for food waste collections. Officers confirmed that the reduction was specific to black bin collections and was estimated as a result of the move to three weekly collections.

·       The potential for electric refuse vehicles was queried. Officers explained that while electric vehicles had been trialled, range limitations remained a challenge. The Council was currently using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for its food waste collection vehicles, which significantly reduced carbon emissions. Alternative options, such as use of electric vehicles, would continue to be explored.

·       A request was made for quarterly reporting figures, i.e. on recycling levels, to be clarified in future reports in order to aid further comparisons. It needed to be made clear that three weekly collections started mid-year (in September 2025). Data prior to that date related to fortnightly collections. Councillor Gourley explained that the first two quarters of 2025/26 were still included for comparison purposes. He felt the data reflected when the three weekly collections commenced.

·       The impact of bank holidays on collection schedules was queried. Officers clarified that collections proceeded as normal on bank holidays, with the exceptions of Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

·       A question was asked about the feasibility of developing a Council app to help residents track their collection days more easily. Officers explained that collection date reminders were available via the Council’s website and a calendar was available. While this was noted, the view remained that an app could provide greater convenience. This option would be kept under review.

·       The visual impact of multiple bins being placed out on collection days, particularly in small cul-de-sacs, was raised as a concern. It was suggested that ways to optimise collection schedules to reduce bin clutter should be explored. In response it was advised that collection schedules would be kept under review, but there was concern that alterations could create confusion. It was clarified that it was only necessary for residents to put out all bins once every six weeks.

·       A number of queries were raised and discussion held in relation to the support available to residents. Requests for support, including requests for larger bins, had increased and there was concern that this could continue to grow, and the Council would incur additional costs.

·       Cost increases were queried as a result of providing extra bin capacity and Mr Warne explained that while there had been additional costs during the initial implementation, this had since returned to normal levels.

·       It was noted that some residents who had applied for additional bin capacity had been refused, with around 1,600 applications declined from 2,372 applications. It was clarified that residents could reapply if they continued to struggle with the changes and/or contact their local councillor for further advice and support.

·       It was explained that West Berkshire’s standard bin size was larger than in many other local authorities, so it was not the view that the standard size should increase.

·       The Council was ahead of the curve in meeting the Government’s incoming requirements on the collection of food waste.

·       Councillor Ross Mackinnon referred to the public consultation on the proposed move to a three weekly collection and queried the resident support to make this change. Councillor Gourley explained that 52% of respondents felt this was achievable with support. The change was then progressed with support provided where needed. 

·       Councillor Gourley added that supportive comments had been received post implementation. This included at public meetings and from parish councils. There had also been positive comments on an informal basis, with some residents expressing surprise that there had not been a negative impact. He pointed out that only a very small percentage of residents (approximately 3%) had left excessive waste for collection at the kerbside.

·       Councillor Mackinnon voiced concern that some residents were unhappy following this change and queried what they could do if their application for support had been refused. Councillor Gourley made an offer to residents who were struggling to contact him to discuss options. He accepted there was not a one size fits all approach and the Council wanted to support its residents. Officers could offer advice to residents, consider a targeted intervention, and were happy to conduct a site visit to see how challenges could be resolved. Councillor Gourley pointed out that over a number of previous years, the acceptance level for applications for support was approximately 50%. Councillor Mackinnon felt that the data showed the percentage of refusals for 2025/26 was far higher and queried the level of analysis that had been undertaken.

·       The criteria for the provision of a larger bin were clarified as being for households in excess of five people, families with two children in nappies, or where people had a particular medical condition. Applicants for a larger bin could input free text to explain any particular circumstances in support of their case. Applications which highlighted a particular circumstance were reviewed by an officer.

·       A request was made for the data that informed the graph that related to levels of affluence and waste production across different local authorities, in order to assist analysis.  

·       Councillor Chris Read offered congratulations to officers and partner organisations for their delivery of this project, particularly when there had been concerns from members of the public. Communication with residents was positive and it was pleasing to note that there had already been a reflection on lessons learnt.

·       Councillor Read added that feedback from residents within his Ward had changed for the positive. Residents had been particularly supportive when they became aware of the money being saved and the return being achieved on investment.    

·       Councillor Gourley explained that savings were being driven by the actions of residents in their disposal and recycling of waste. His expectation was that this would increase over 2026/27.

·       Councillor Read stated that an increase in fly tipping of residential waste had been a point of concern for some. However, he had noted no such increase within his Ward and he had not received any increase in reports from residents.

·       The quantity of recycling containers was queried as being necessary and in response, Councillor Gourley advised that a reduced quantity of containers would result in recycling being co-mingled and lessen the recycling rate. Approximately, only 3% of waste sent for recycling was rejected in West Berkshire, whereas local authorities who did co-mingle their recycling had, on average, 30% of their recycling rejected. Recycling containers would be reviewed in due course.

·       Members queried the approach with waste management should the Council join with South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils as part of Local Government Reorganisation. It was acknowledged that there was no confirmation as to whether this proposal would proceed, however Councillor Gourley clarified that South and Vale’s waste contract had recently been renewed and the Council’s Private Finance Initiative (PFI) for waste would run until 2032. Imminent changes were therefore unlikely. It was also pointed out that South and Vale were responsible for waste collection, but disposal was the responsibility of Oxfordshire County Council. 

·       Councillor Gourley agreed to provide information on disposal/recycling options for electrical items.

·       Councillor Gourley advised that an announcement would be made by the end of March 2026 on additional items that could be recycled at the kerbside.

The Committee commended the progress made under the new waste collection strategy and acknowledged the efforts of officers in the implementation of these changes and those of residents in adapting to the changes. Members were pleased to note progress to date. Support should continue to be made available to residents where possible and the potential to create an app to assist residents with tracking their collection days should be kept under review.

Officers confirmed that data collection and analysis would continue of the move to three-weekly collections and its impact on recycling rates, fly-tipping and resident satisfaction.

Actions:

·       Daniel Warne to provide the data that informed the graph that related to levels of affluence and waste production across different local authorities, in order to assist analysis.

·       Councillor Gourley agreed to provide information on disposal/recycling options for electrical items.

RESOLVED to note the effects of the move to three weekly refuse collections.