Agenda item

Members head from the Interim Director of Operations & Commercial Services regarding the results of the trial of Big Bin Clear Out service and the need for a decision on whether to continue. It was highlighted that over the first year, 437 1100ltr bins and 27 660ltr bins had been hired to residents. Deliveries were spread across the district with the majority falling within the Gainsborough area, however this was due to several factors, the largest being that Thursday drop off/collections were limited to 6 due to the size of the area covered (everything east of the A15). Customer satisfaction was high with the service averaging 95% four- or five-star reviews, with a full list of comments provided within the appendices. Members also heard that since report had been published, numbers had continued to increase. It was highlighted that the service provided a small return to the council, with the options for the committee being to cease offering the service, or to adopt it as business as usual.

Members expressed their thanks to the team providing the service and praised the obvious success. It was noted that the idea had been introduced after speaking with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council where it had been highly successful. It was recognised that, as a trial initiative, it had been managed through existing service provision and advertised with low-level communications campaigns. Should the service continue to grow, there was the chance it might put additional pressure on the team providing it. Members were assured that growth in the service could be mitigated through, for example, extending the waiting times for deliveries of the bins, however it would require monitoring and management to ensure it remained sustainable.

Further to an enquiry regarding what was acceptable to go in the bins, it was agreed this would be circulated to Members after the meeting. Additionally, it was noted that on hiring a skip, customers were required to adhere to restrictions, so this was not considered unusual for this type of service. A Member of the Committee enquired as to what work was being undertaken regarding minimising the amount of waste produced in general, expressing the request to understand what was being done to encourage people to use other routes alongside the usual waste options.

The Head of Paid Service noted his connection with Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and congratulated the team at West Lindsey District Council for the success of the pilot project. He referenced the indirect benefits of such a scheme, for example helping to reduce fly-tipping and the use of rogue unlicensed waste collectors.

The Chairman reiterated the positive comments of the Committee, stating that the service provided a much-needed alternative between general waste collections and the use of skips. With all Members supportive of the continuation of the service, the Chairman read aloud the options contained within the report, and, having been proposed, seconded, and voted upon, it was unanimously

RESOLVED that the Big Bin service be continued and become a business-as-usual offering.