Issue - meetings

The Director for Operational & Commercial Service introduced the report providing an update on the current position regarding operational services fleet and seeking a capital investment in two new vehicles. It was explained that there had been a significant increase in the amount of waste collected over the last few years for a number of reasons including Covid, popularity of the garden waste service and the rapid growth within the district.

To date there had not been an uplift in the number of new vehicles to collect this additional waste and therefore there had been an increased reliance on using old spare vehicles and this has brought about a sharp rise in maintenance costs as the spare vehicles require more maintenance when in regular use. The costs of maintenance and increases in staffing costs were outlined.

The current vehicle replacement strategy did not account for the need for increased demands so a further capital investment was proposed. The financial, operational and environmental implications were clarified.

A councillor referred to the challenges in terms of the government requirements on local authorities fulfilling their obligation around collection of waste. It was emphasised there were financial challenges and  a lot of unknowns in terms of

future requirements around food waste collections. The excellent services provided across the district were outlined but it was about having assurance moving forward, that the right decisions are being made.

In response officers acknowledged the ongoing discussions around the uncertainty in the waste industry and the lack of clarity coming from the government on what would be required particularly with regard to environmental issues.  The supply of food waste vehicles and lack of disposal facilities were highlighted. In regard to financial implications it was suggested hat the government might be suggesting extended producer responsibility would fund new waste collections but others indicated that producers would find different ways to do packaging and reduce their need to pay.

The potential introduction of free garden waste collections for all would also have a massive impact on a lot of authorities. These matters were on the agenda for the Lincolnshire Waste Partnership and other forums and they would continue to press government around the urgency of these decisions.

A member in welcoming the report suggested there needed to be a balance struck between the provision of electric vehicles and more traditional fuels and expressed support for the phased approach proposed in the report as, particularly in rural areas charging points could be difficult to access.

A councillor referred to the new vehicles and food waste collections and asked if they would need to be retro fitted for such collections.  In response it was clarified that these vehicles would be for residual waste, recycling and garden waste. Food waste vehicles would need to be commissioned separately. It was acknowledged that some  authorities did have vehicles pods for food but  this would not work in the district as the pods were small. Discussion ensued regarding potential financial implications if proposed changes were introduced by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18