(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 150/2017 from the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport) was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Walters, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to request approval for the implementation of a charge for the kerbside collections of Green Waste, starting on 1^st April 2018; to set the initial annual charge per bin of £35 for the financial year 2018/19; and to authorise the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport), in conjunction with the Cabinet Member with portfolio for Environment, to draft and then to revise as necessary the terms and conditions associated with the implemented chargeable service for the kerbside collections of Green Waste.

During discussion the following points were raised:

1. All neighbouring Local Authorities currently charged for the kerbside collections of Green Waste.
2. Public feedback to the Portfolio Holder had been minimal, with the feeling that this was an expected change to the current arrangements.
3. The Council were under no statutory obligation to collect green waste.
4. Cabinet welcomed the discount of 25% that would be offered to residents receiving Local Council Tax Support.
5. Assisted bin collections would be maintained as current.
6. As part of the Waste Strategy Review taking place this year, the items that were currently recycled would be reviewed. Central Government were looking to standardise this, however, this was a long term goal.
7. The wording on page 28, point 4.2, sub-point 3 had been amended to reflect that ‘the chargeable service will be optional’.
8. The impact on the overall recycling rate is likely to be a reduction from about 60% to around 55%; and
9. Provision of subsidised composting bins that the Council offers to residents was to be promoted more actively on the Councils website during the decision making and potential implementation period.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL the implementation of a charge for the kerbside collections of Green Waste, starting on 1^st April 2018.

2.     Cabinet RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL an annual charge per bin, starting at £35 for the financial year 2018/19.

3.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for Places (Environment, Planning and Transport), in consultation with the Cabinet Member with portfolio for Environment, to revise as necessary the terms and conditions associated with the implemented chargeable service for the kerbside collections of Green Waste.

Reasons for Decision

1.    The implementation of a charge for the kerbside collections of Green Waste was recommended as it was a reasonable charge that would protect a valued but non-statutory service.

2.    An initial annual charge per bin of £35 was recommended as this would, based on the projected take up rate, give some flexibility for future adjustment whilst balancing cost recovery only against an optimum positive impact on the Medium Term Financial Plan.

3.    Authorising the relevant Director to revise as necessary the associated terms and conditions, was required in order to ensure that the scheme could be delivered and managed appropriately following any initial lessons learnt.