Agenda item

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the progress made on achieving a robust and effective Resources and Waste Strategy to meet net zero targets, achieve statutory recycling

targets, and mitigate against the risk of infraction fines, be noted;

(b)      That the Resource and Waste Strategy to meet net zero targets, achieve statutory recycling targets, and mitigate against the risk of infraction fines be supported; and

(c)      That Scrutiny agrees to a further report to be presented in June outlining the Council’s proposals to increase recycling waste in line with Priority 2 and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy.

(d)      That the final bullet point on page 12 of the draft Resources and Waste Strategy be amended to read: “That the Council may consider restricting the amount of residual waste that residents can dispose of in the black bin to encourage greater recycling by all residents either by reducing the frequency of collections or the capacity of the bin”.

The Regulatory Services Manager presented the report to review the Council’s waste strategy with the objective of achieving Welsh Government’s statutory recycling target of 70%.  She provided background information and advised that the report provided feedback on the consultation exercise which took place on the draft Resource and Waste Strategy and presented the final document for consideration.

The Regulatory Services Manager explained that if the Strategy was adopted it was proposed that a further report be submitted to Cabinet in June outlining the Council’s transition to a restricted capacity residual waste collection model as committed to in priority 2 of the Strategy. She advised that this action was fundamental in achieving the statutory recycling target of 70% and would be the first action to implement if the Strategy was adopted.  The Strategy would be presented to the Minister for Climate Change for consideration with a detailed action plan for implementation to continue progress towards 70% recycling.

Councillor Mike Peers raised questions regarding the proposed actions and aspirations referred to in the report and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy.  He referred to the problem of residents placing recyclable items in residual waste bins that could have been collected via the recycling collection service or at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs).  He also asked what actions were being undertaken to encourage participation rates,  and referred to priority 1 (page 82) to reduce overall waste arising within Flintshire and increase the amount reused to avoid disposal and said there were no timescales against the project plan (page 128). 

Councillor Peers cross-referenced between the information contained in the report and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy which was appended.  He raised further questions and concerns and referred to the following:  the proposed actions listed in section 1.14 (page 83), the proposal for the Council’s  transition to a restricted capacity residual waste collection model as committed to in priority 2 of the Strategy (page 85, section 1.17), priority 2 (page 82) increase recycling, (page 83, section 1.14) and the aspiration to encourage greater recycling by either reducing the frequency of collections or reducing the capacity (size) of the black bin, and the final  bullet point in the list of actions on page 130 of the report to restrict the amount of residual waste that residents can dispose of in the black bin to encourage greater recycling by all residents either by reducing the frequency of collections or the capacity of the bin.

Councillor Peers proposed that the third recommendation in the report be amended to read: “That Scrutiny agrees to a further report to be presented in June outlining the Council’s proposals to increase recycling waste in line with Priority 2 and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy”.  He also proposed that the final bullet point on page 12 of the draft Resources and Waste Strategy be amended to read: “That the Council may consider restricting the amount of residual waste that residents can dispose of in the black bin to encourage greater recycling by all residents either by reducing the frequency of collections or the capacity of the bin”.  Councillor Richard Lloyd seconded the proposals.

Councillor Richard Lloyd and Councillor Dan Rose expressed concerns regarding  recycling waste collection points and the locations.  Councillor Richard Lloyd suggested there was a need for more detailed consultation with the local Member for the Ward around the need and siting of recycling waste collection points in local communities.

The Regulatory Services Manager responded to the comments and points raised.

The following recommendations were moved by Councillor Roy Wakelam and seconded by Councillor Richard Lloyd.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the progress made on achieving a robust and effective Resources and Waste Strategy to meet net zero targets, achieve statutory recycling

targets, and mitigate against the risk of infraction fines, be noted;

(b)      That the Resource and Waste Strategy to meet net zero targets, achieve statutory recycling targets, and mitigate against the risk of infraction fines be supported; and

(c)      That Scrutiny agrees to a further report to be presented in June outlining the Council’s proposals to increase recycling waste in line with Priority 2 and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy.

(d)      That the final bullet point on page 12 of the draft Resources and Waste Strategy be amended to read: “That the Council may consider restricting the amount of residual waste that residents can dispose of in the black bin to encourage greater recycling by all residents either by reducing the frequency of collections or the capacity of the bin”.