Agenda item

Members gave consideration to a report which proposed changes to the existing “Waste and Recycling Operational Policies” document which covered all refuse and recycling related services provided by the Authority.   Members were asked to approve the Policy document including the introduction of formal waste collection charges for some categories of premise.

The report had been shared with the Lincolnshire Waste Services Partnership, as a key stake holder, the previous week, and no amendments had been proposed as a result.

Debate ensued and Members expressed concern that the Committee had met earlier in the year to set its fees and charges for 2018/19 and these had subsequently been approved by Council when setting the budget in March. There was also concern that many of the organisations who could potentially be affected by these new charges would have already set their budgets for the year also, without consideration of these charges and this could result in difficulties for them, it was suggested that greater consultation should have been undertaken with affected organisations, as had been the case with green waste charges.  Whilst accepting that it was important that charges were based on a level playing field, reassurance was sought that a sympathetic approach would be taken towards these organisations, many of which helped the organisation deliver its corporate aims, and many of whom would have some form of charity status.  There were also concerns that these charges would impact on the usage of village halls, which was considered counter productive.  It was suggested a Fact Sheet should be available to Members to help them explain the changes to the community when questions arose.

In response to concerns raised and other comments expressed, Officers advised that a recent audit had identified approximately 66 village halls were using more than 1 black bin and were in fact hosting businesses, this created an unfairness around commercial waste charges.  All those affected had been contacted in advance and made aware that a charge may be levied in the future.  No change in policy was being proposed regarding charity shops as charges were already levied for these services.  Schools had been engaged with at very early stage and well in advance of any charges being introduced in order that they could budget effectively.  Churches were exempt under national legislation.  Village Halls used as community spaces or who hosted clubs and societies would only be charged if they made use of more than one bin.   The intention of Paragraph 5 of Policy 24 was not to write to all organisations asking them to qualify for a free service, but did give the Authority the right to ask questions in the future, if the waste being presented from such a premise was excessive.  The costs to introduce such charges would be minimal and the driver for charging was not one of income generation but of fairness and transparency.

It was also confirmed and clarified that the purpose of the report was not to set the fees, as these had been included with the Budget approved by Council on 5 March, but rather to determine how the agreed fees should be applied and to which premises through the application of a consistent policy approach.  As such no subsequent report needed to be submitted to the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

RESOLVED that:

(a)          the proposed changes to the Waste and Recycling Operational Policies document, as outlined at Appendix 2 of the report, incorporating changes relating to the introduction of garden waste charges and the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 be approved; and

(b)          the new charges be formally introduced from the dates specified in Appendix 3 of the report.

Note:         During consideration of the above item Councillor John McNeill declared a personal non-pecuniary interest as he was the Independent Examiner of Accounts for St. Thomas’ Church, Market Rasen.

Note:         Councillors Trevor Young and Judy Rainsforth requested that their vote against the above decision be recorded.