Agenda item

(a)          That the Committee support the continuation of the charging policy for the Garden Waste Service for 2019 and in subsequent years;

(b)          That the Committee recommends Cabinet approves the continuation of the flat rate charging mechanism, without concessions and that the charge of £30 will continue to apply for each bin collection made during the 2019 season;

(c)          That the Committee recommends Cabinet approve that from 2019, the annual review of the Garden Waste charge should be included in the annual portfolio review of fees and charges; and

(d)       That the Committee recommends Cabinet approves the request to   Cabinet for the service to explore an alternative, technology based           system to monitor payments and notify the waste collectors of a paid   subscription, in readiness for the 2020 season and that £30k of the funds             raised in the 2018-19 financial year are set aside to fund the new    arrangement.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) introduced the Recycling and Compliance Officer to Committee.  He presented the report which aligned the Council’s waste and recycling model with the Welsh Government Collections Blueprint.  This was approved by Cabinet in January and the take up for this service was better than expected at 40% and it was proposed to keep the charge the same for next year. He advised that 30% of those who took up the service were on benefits.

            Councillor Chris Dolphin referred to the size of the bins which he felt were not big enough and that a second bin should be free and proposed that be put forward as Option 6 (£30 first bin second bin free).  He added that other authorities use bigger bins and suggested postponing the use of technology for registering a bin to a property until further consideration had been given to providing bigger bins.  He then referred to an email he had sent requesting Concessions be given to charities but this had not been progressed.

The Programme Manager Ancillary & Waste Services responded saying the 140 litre was a standard size across Wales.  The 240 litre and 140 litre bins were trialled in 2003 but there had been operational problems together with a number of breakages and weight issues with the lift equipment and it was deemed that the 140 litre bin was the most suitable.

The Chief Officer Streetscene & Transportation acknowledged Councillor Dolphin’s comments that the second bin should be free.

Councillor Mike Peers noted the comments regarding larger bins and referred to the Environment meeting on the 16^th January 2018 when the Chief Officer advised the provision of larger bins would be looked at and asked what was the outcome had been.

Councillor Peers was pleased the Council had met the cost of recovery for this service of £166.000 but suggested this could be seen as the Council making a profit and questioned whether streamlining payments should be undertaken earlier than 2020.  If the cost for the Chip and pin technology was £30,000 why not use the excess from current year.  At 1.16 the potential for offering reduced rates for the elderly and vulnerable was considered during the first year of production and an undertaking was given that a review would take place and asked regarding the outcome.  He agreed with Councillor Dolphin’s comment that the bin was not big enough

The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside stated the larger bins were too heavy for the machines to pick up.  The second bin reduction charge could impact on the budget which could mean charging more for the first bin.  As regards Concessions – An audit of people on the Council tax Reduction Scheme indicated 30% subscribed to the scheme.  These were the reasons for not reducing or increasing the rates this year. She also commended the small team who managed to send out 30,000 stickers and deal with telephone queries which was impressive.  Councillor Paul Shotton said this was a controversial issue and the 40% take up was encouraging and that Direct Payments would make it easier for the team.

Councillor Joe Johnson asked how the payments were made.   It was confirmed 95% were over the telephone with the team encouraging the online payment method for the future.

            The Chair commented that residents had the option of composting their garden waste if they did not wish to pay for the service.

            Councillor Richard Jones supported Councillor Dolphin’s comment that the bins were too small and residents should be with issued larger 240 litre bins. He added that the cost of the service was to go and collect and dispose of the garden waste.  He advised that the WG initiative was not to generate income but to lower the carbon footprint to HRC sites. He added that in comparison to neighbouring authorities Flintshire was more expensive as our neighbouring authorities had the 240 litre bins

            Councillor Owen Thomas suggested the money should be was used to promote compost bins

            Councillor Andy Dunbobbin commented Flintshire should not be ashamed of making a profit but the money should be reinvested.

            The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) responded to say the costs would go up next year.   He added that to replace 30,000 bins at £20 each would cost in the region £600,000.

When put to the vote Option 6 £30 first charge 2^nd bin free, the vote was lost.

RESOLVED:

(a)          That the Committee support the continuation of the charging policy for the Garden Waste Service for 2019 and in subsequent years;

(b)          That the Committee recommends Cabinet approves the continuation of the flat rate charging mechanism, without concessions and that the charge of £30 will continue to apply for each bin collection made during the 2019 season;

(c)          That the Committee recommends Cabinet approve that from 2019, the annual review of the Garden Waste charge should be included in the annual portfolio review of fees and charges; and

(d)          That the Committee recommends Cabinet approves the request to Cabinet for the service to explore an alternative, technology based system to monitor payments and notify the waste collectors of a paid subscription, in readiness for the 2020 season and that £30k of the funds raised in the 2018-19 financial year are set aside to fund the new arrangement