Issue - meetings

Decisions made by the Cabinet on 21 July 2014 in respect of the following report below were called in for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Orders.

Changes to Recycling and Green Waste Collections

The attached report sets out the decisions of the Cabinet and the call in details. Also attached is the original report that went to Cabinet, together with a supplementary report.

Decisions made by the Cabinet on 21 July 2014 in respect of the following report were called-in for consideration by the Scrutiny Committee in accordance with Standing Order 20.

Changes to Recycling and Green Waste Collections

The decisions made by the Cabinet on 21 July 2014 were:

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to increasing the frequency of the dry recycling service to a weekly service;

(ii)        that approval be given to the extension of the separate food waste collection service to all street level properties;

(iii)       that approval be given to the introduction of a chargeable garden waste collection service as the means of facilitating these improvements as set out and detailed in section 4 of the report;

(iv)       that the financial and non-financial benefits that will accrue from these changes be noted;

(v)        that approval be given to the amendment to the Public Realm Contract and the minor changes to the contract targets to allow these proposals to go ahead.

The reasons for the call in are:

Whilst not opposing the principle of charging for garden waste, members consider that the system proposed could be improved on.

There was concern at the absence of crucial information in the report including:

o   a proper analysis of options available to the council

o   consideration of up front payment (covering collection and disposal) for recycling bags rather than an annual charge

o   clear financial information regarding risk/gain to Brent Council and Veolia 

o   information about market research undertaken with residents on options likely to achieve good recycling rates

o   how Brent can seek reciprocal arrangements with neighbouring authorities so increasing drop off points. The only site proposed in the report is at Abbey Road

o   learning from other local authorities

o   contamination of dry recycling/kitchen waste

o   monitoring and enforcement

o   communication with residents.

An outline of the suggested course of action of the Scrutiny Committee is to:

o   seek a report responding to the concerns outlined above

o   question lead member and senior officers and the leader

o   if necessary, set up a very brief task finish group to examine these issues in more depth.

Additionally, reference was made to residents’ concerns about the charge and the implications. Further clarification was requested on:

o   the way the decision was made

o   what would have changed within a year of a new contract, to justify such big change or adjustment

o   the framework is in place for monitoring and reporting

o   the financial implications for the council in relation to the scheme.

Whilst not opposing the principle of charging for garden waste, additional concerns were expressed at the absence of crucial information in the report including the failure to:

o   demonstrate VFM (value for money)

o   show financial information containing savings from decommissioning existing garden waste service

o   give financial information regarding risk/gain to Brent Council and Veolia

o   model other alternatives, available to the Brent Council and consider their financial and environmental impact.

Scrutiny Committee is asked to:

o   seek  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

This report presents a proposal to reduce the amount of waste generated by Brent residents and to deliver £378,000 financial savings. This will be done by increasing the frequency of the dry recycling service and by extending the coverage of the weekly separate food waste collection service. It is intended these improvements will be made possible by implementing a new ‘opt in’ chargeable garden waste collection service.

(i)         that approval be given to increasing the frequency of the dry recycling service to a weekly service;

(ii)        that approval be given to the extension of the separate food waste collection service to all street level properties;

(iii)       that approval be given to the introduction of a chargeable garden waste collection service as the means of facilitating these improvements as set out and detailed in section 4 of the report;

(iv)       that the financial and non-financial benefits that will accrue from these changes be noted;

(v)        that approval be given to the amendment to the Public Realm Contract and the minor changes to the contract targets to allow these proposals to go ahead.

The report from the Strategic Director, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented a proposal to reduce the amount of waste generated by Brent residents and to deliver £378,000 financial savings. This would be done by increasing the frequency of the dry recycling service and by extending the coverage of the weekly separate food waste collection service. It was intended these improvements would be made possible by implementing a new ‘opt in’ chargeable garden waste collection service.  These proposals would improve and extend the council’s recycling offer and reduce the amount of waste generated overall. They would also abide by the national waste hierarchy, which recognised prevention of all waste and the recycling of food waste as having the best environmental impacts with regard to waste management.

In response to a deputation earlier in the evening objecting to the proposals, Sue Harper (Strategic Director, Environment and Neighbourhoods) accepted there would be a differential service in the Winter months and the charge was £40 for the year, an average of 80p per week. Cross subsidies could not be avoided and she felt this was the fairest system drawing comparisons with other boroughs. Sue Harper acknowledged the chances of increased fly tipping but felt the new waste management contract was prepared to deal with this.

Councillor Perrin (Lead Member, Environment and Neighbourhoods) spoke in favour of the proposals which, he felt would help reduce demand for grey bins. Residents of all street level properties would have access to the arrangements and would still be able to take garden waste to recycling facilities should they wish. Councillor Perrin drew attention to a supplementary report which corrected para 9.2 to indicate that the contractor Veolia would make up any difference fully to a guaranteed annual amount offered of £400,000 and would pass on to the council any income collected over and above £400,000.

Other members welcomed the proposals, weekly recycling and the opportunity to reduce landfill. They looked forward to a full, clear communication strategy. Councillor Mashari felt the report was comprehensive and questioned how it could link with West London Waste Authority or the compost site at Abbey Road.

Sue Harper agreed to look into the feasibility of using the waste to provide compost for allotments and advised that discussions were taking place with Ealing Council over West London Waste.

The Cabinet heard that Viv Stein had submitted a statement on behalf of Brent Friends of the Earth responding to the proposed changes to the strategy which was read out at the meeting and which raised concerns and made suggestions over emissions, charges and equality, communications, contamination and fly tipping, community composting and recycling.

In response, Sue Harper referred members to the acknowledgement in her report that CO₂ emissions would be slightly worse as vehicles to be used were less fuel efficient however performance indicators for emissions would be in place and efforts would be made to reduce emissions in other areas.

In response to a contribution from Councillor Choudhary, the Leader of the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5