Agenda item

(a)       That the proposed changes to the Council’s Household Waste Collection             and Household Recycling Centre Operations Policy be recommended to           Cabinet; and

(b)       That the proposed changes to the waste and recycling rounds, due to be   implemented in September, 2017, be recommended to Cabinet. 

The Waste and Ancillary Services Manager introduced the proposed changes to the waste collection rounds and the new operating arrangements at Household Recycling Centres (HRC).  He provided an update on the following areas as detailed within the report:-

·         Resident only permits

·         Resident Van Permits Scheme

·         HRC Management

·         Opening times

·         Waste and recycling round changes

Councillor Paul Shotton thanked officers for a positive report and welcomed the proposal to retain the Resident Van Permit Scheme.  He commented on the positive work carried out by the Task Force at Deeside and asked if this would be rolled out to other wards across the County.  He also asked whether consideration had been given to working with Social Enterprise at HRC and whether the new facility in Oakenholt was on track to be opened in September 2017.    

The Waste and Ancillary Services Manager responded that following the success of the Task Force at Deeside, it was proposed to carry out similar events across the County to assist with the reduction of side waste.  He advised that the Council currently work with Social Enterprise at HRC across the County and were looking to expand recycling with them.  The Chief Officer advised that the new facility in Oakenholt was due to be opened in September 2017 but he would bring a further report to the Committee if there were any changes to this date.  The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing gave an assurance that the HRC sites in Flint and Connah’s Quay would remain open until the new facility in Oakenholt was opened.   

            Councillor Richard Lloyd also welcomed retention of the Resident Van Permit Scheme and asked how the Resident Only Permit Scheme would be enforced to ensure that they were not passed to residents without a permit.  The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside explained that further work would be carried out prior to a decision being made on the introduction of a Resident Only Permit Scheme.  Councillor David Evans asked if factual information on how many people who did not reside in Flintshire visited the HRC across the County could be presented to the Committee prior to a decision on the Resident Only Permit Scheme.

            In response to further questions, the Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside advised that residents would soon be receiving a 9 month calendar which would include information on what items can be recycled.  She also advised that she would be reviewing the cost of bulky waste collections.        

            Councillor Sean Bibby asked if the Council had the resources to target side waste.  The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside advised that consideration was being given to re-directing enforcement officers currently deadline with littering to work with people to encourage them to recycle and reduce side waste.

            Councillor Chris Dolphin asked that local Members be informed of any residents within their ward who would have a change of collection day or change of collection week.  The Waste and Ancillary Service Manager agreed to provide this information to local Members. 

            In response to concerns raised by Councillor Dolphin around regular changes to waste collection times for residents, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing agreed to look into this matter following the meeting.

            In response to Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, the Chief Officer explained that the Council had previously introduced a policy to charge supermarkets for collecting and returning trolleys.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the proposed changes to the Council’s Household Waste Collection             and Household Recycling Centre Operations Policy be recommended to           Cabinet; and

(b)       That the proposed changes to the waste and recycling rounds, due to be   implemented in September, 2017, be recommended to Cabinet.