Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee recommends to Cabinet for the proposed pilot scheme to engage a local Social Enterprise to provide the Bulky Waste collection service; and

(b)       That further consideration be  given to alternative options for the future of HRC service provision in Flintshire, including an option for  two additional super sites located in the Flint/Connah's Quay area and the Buckley/Mold area (subject to the Council being able to identify suitable land and it becoming available), to supplement the existing sites in Sandycroft and Greenfield. 

The Chair invited Councillor Aaron Shotton to speak on the item.  Councillor Shotton read out a statement which had been provided to the press to advise of the position regarding the review of the HRC provision and bulky waste collection service.  He referred to the outcome of the Welsh Government (WG) review of the Council’s waste service which included a review of the Council’s Household Recycling Centre (HRC) provision.  He gave an  assurance that there was currently no agreement on the findings of the WG report and that he did not want to see closure of sites.

Councillor Shotton commented on the recommendations in the WG report and advised that failure to meet the WG National Strategy landfill targets could result in infraction charges being levied against the Council totalling £200 for each tone of waste land filled above the defined allowance and a further £200 per tonne infraction charge could be levied if the Council failed to achieve the Statutory Waste Recycling target in a same period.   He explained that unless the Authority improved the existing facilities on sites to ensure more recycling then it would be unlikely to achieve the targets set by the WG. 

Councillor Shotton commented on the severe austerity measures imposed on the Authority and the pressure on public services.  He referred to the significant financial cuts and efficiencies which had been achieved to date in all service areas and the need to set a local balanced budget.  He emphasised that unless the WG proposals and guidance was followed on how the Authority should achieve its recycling targets in future years there would be severe financial penalties incurred and possible risk to the viability of future capital revenue grants.  

The Chief Executive referred to national policy and local choice and  commented on the main considerations regarding national funding and performance of HRC sites.  He explained that significant funding was available from WG to improve sites and if the current WG proposal was not acceptable then some negotiation might be had around the development of supersites.  The Chief Executive advised that the Authority aimed to achieve a recycling target of 70% by having a viable network and if it did not hit that recycling target then it would be liable to fines.

The Chief Executive referred to the need for the Authority to find further savings of 30% to set a balanced budget and stated that efficiencies on such a scale could not be found from any other business plan within the Authority.

Councillor Kevin Jones emphasised that there were no further significant  savings which could be achieved from within the Service without withdrawing collection services.  The WG had made it known that it held the view that  the Authority was oversubscribed for some sites and would impose penalties if it  did not meet its targets.  He commented that the WG priority was waste management and waste collection and this was the ‘blueprint’ the Authority was expected to work to.  The capital support provided by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6