Agenda item

The Chairman introduced Visiting Member Councillor P. Key and invited him to present the motion to the Prosperous Communities Committee, as he had initially done so at the meeting of Full Council. Councillor Key presented his motion and requested to speak again at the end of the discussion.

The Director of Commercial and Operational Services explained the motion was received by Council on 6 November 2023 and officers had been commissioned to review the side waste policy. It was explained that the nature of motion was regarding placing an additional burden on carbon emissions due to street cleansing teams returning to properties to collect side waste left by refuse crews, as was the current policy of not collecting side waste. It was clarified that waste policies were reviewed and presented to Members every two years, with the next agenda item for the Committee being that next review.

The Committee heard details of the current process for incidents of side waste, with crews recording instances using mobile devices and how the information was shared across customer services as well, in order to be able to identify missed collections or issues with side waste. Should an occasion arise where crews had not made a report of side waste, or there was a legitimate reason for presentation of the side waste, the nearest available resource was sent to pick it up. This would sometimes be street cleansing crews. It was highlighted that this approach reduced the carbon impact, rather than increasing it, and an average of 25 reports of side waste were received across the district each week so did not present as an issue.

The Committee further heard that any move towards an unconstrained side waste policy would lead to more waste generation at the kerbside and put a strain on collection and disposal resources. Using previous data as a guide, it was estimated that any proposal to revert back to allowing uncontrolled waste presentation would result in a minimum of one extra collection round, leading to significant financial costs, and even greater environmental costs. It was highlighted that current policy aligned with all other Lincolnshire authorities, promoted the waste hierarchy and specifically waste minimisation, with the recommendation being to retain the policy in its current form.

During the course of debate, Members of the Committee expressed their support for the work of the operational staff, however there were differing views as to how the matter of side waste could be addressed, with some Members suggesting side waste be collected. It was highlighted there were alternative options for residents, such as the new ‘Big Bin Clear Out’ scheme, which had recently been approved by Members. There were additional concerns raised, for example the health and safety of crew members, as well as the environmental impact.

Members enquired whether there was any scope for a pilot scheme to be undertaken to start collecting side waste. It was explained that this approach would be contrary to the strategic direction of waste management in Lincolnshire. Members were advised that any such scheme would need to be presented separately for Committee approval, taking all factors into consideration such as staff implications, financial implications, and environmental issues, as well as looking at the terms of the pilot, such as where it would run, and for how long.

On this basis, an additional recommendation was proposed. That being: that further investigations be undertaken into all implications associated with options to run a pilot of collecting side waste, and that be returned to this committee for consideration.

The proposed additional recommendation was seconded. On preparing to vote whether to add the additional recommendation to the list of decisions required, a Member of the Committee proposed a recorded vote, this was duly seconded.

The votes were cast as follows:

For: Councillors E. Bailey, S. Bunney, K. Carless, J. Flear, L. Rollings and T. Young (6)

Against: Councillors O. Bierley, F. Brown, P. Lee and R. Patterson (4)

Abstain: No Votes (0)

With a total of 6 votes for, and 4 against, the amendment of an additional recommendation wasdeclared CARRIED.

The Chairman summarised the debate and invited Councillor Key to make any further comment. He thanked the Committee for their discussions and encouraged them to read a number of documents in relation to the waste services processes.

The Chairman then led the vote on the recommendations contained within the report and the additional recommendation. It was

            RESOLVED that

a)    the motion as presented to Council on 6 November 2023 be accepted; and

b)    the adoption of the side waste policy as outlined at paragraph 1.3 of the report and in the refreshed Waste Policies Document (to be presented as the next item on the agenda) be approved; and

c)    further investigations be undertaken into all implications associated with options to run a pilot of collecting side waste and that be returned to the Prosperous Communities Committee for consideration.