Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Hughes introduced the report and explained that a report had been presented to Cabinet in January 2022 proposing a revised vehicle permit policy, with details of how it would be implemented.  The revised policy was approved and subsequently implemented in April 2022.

A small number of complaints had been received from residents who were no longer permitted access to the Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) with their vehicles and a commitment was given to undertake a review of the policy to ensure that it met the original objectives set out, and review whether the criteria required further amendment.

The report provided an overview of the impact of the revised policy along with details of the review undertaken and proposals for amending the policy.  Further considerations were also presented on the broader operations for HRCs with a view to introducing further service improvements and efficiencies.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) said it had been through a rigorous process, with the most recent being all Member workshops and a report being submitted to Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  She provided details of the amendments requested by Members, which were outlined in the report.

Councillor Bithell welcomed the opportunities afforded to Members to express their views in the workshops.  In response to a question, the Chief Officer said there were height limits on all vehicles, which included trailers, going into HRCs.  Dimensions were included in the policy although the height dimension was not detailed and would be added.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Cabinet supports the review undertaken and the proposed amendments to the Vehicle Permit Policy for Household Recycling Centres be endorsed;

(b)       That the proposed amendment to the Vehicle Permit Policy to introduce an annual permit (allowing a maximum of 12 visits) to allow certain sign written vehicles access to the Household Recycling Centres on condition that the vehicle is registered to a Flintshire residential address for Council Tax, the trade is not associated with any trade waste; the waste deposited at the HRC has not been or is unlikely to have been produced by the activity of that business or associated businesses; and the only waste presented at the HRC is domestic household waste, be supported;

(c)        That the inclusion of tyres as an additional waste stream in the HRC booking system in order to ensure waste minimisation and control be supported; and

(d)       That the additional proposals to improve HRC operational controls be supported and endorsed and the proposed extension to opening times be reviewed in light of existing and future budgets and resources be noted.