Decision details

RESOLVED

(i)         That alternate weekly collections for residual household waste be introduced from Spring 2018 and the estimated financial savings associated with this of approximately £730k per annum compared to the projected budget for 2018/19 be noted.

(ii)        That a rear-loading vehicle fleet be procured to deliver the revised service and the estimated financial saving of approximately £270k per annum compared to the projected budget for 2018/19 be noted.

(iii)       That the changes to the council’s waste policies required to implement the new service as detailed in the report be approved.

(iv)       That the draft implementation timetable be agreed.

(v)        That the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste, Recycling and Cleansing, be authorised to make necessary arrangements as required.

REASONS

(i)         Legislation requires a reduction in the amount of waste currently going to landfill and an increase in recycling, 50% by 2020. The introduction of AWCs would following assessment from Ricardo encourage additional levels of recycling estimated at 4%; although other councils have observed up to a 9% increase in recycling rates and up to a 16% decrease in residual waste produced. Councils are required to deliver “good quality local services as efficiently as possible within their financial constraints”.  The council must therefore set that requirement against action to mitigate a forecast funding gap of £4.2m in its medium term financial strategy (MTFS).

(ii)        The current ageing waste collection vehicles require replacement.

(iii)       Dispensations will ensure the implementation recognises households which will find AWC more challenging due to receptacle capacity.

(iv)       Agreement to the approach and key milestones to implement both a revised collections methodology and procure a new fleet of refuse vehicles.