At the Environment & Housing Committee on 17 June 2015, through a verbal update, it was agreed that the Waste Strategy Group (WSG), established through the previous administration, was to be continued.

Since that Committee meeting there had been two meetings of the WSG, which is a cross-party group discussing options to deliver a more effective and efficient waste service for our residents in the future.

A wide range of issues had been discussed, and although there is further work to do, it was felt that a number of opportunities had arisen that could potentially reduce cost, and where a pilot scheme could provide feedback to improve the service.

The aim of the Pilot scheme would also allow consideration to be given to poor access areas and practicality for  the elderly or disabled persons.

The emphasis was made to encourage to public to recycle more and landfill less. This was also recognised as an opportunity to improve the Streetscene.

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Hossack and SECONDED by Cllr Poppy to combine 2.1 and 2.2 of the recommendations in the report and to keep 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 as suggested.

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

1.     That Members debate the opportunity to have a pilot scheme in an area of the Borough, to test the impact of the introduction of wheel bins.

That Members agree to fund a pilot scheme through the DCLG funding, at a cost of £5,000.

2.     That Members agree to the reduction of bags per roll on orange sacks, giving a saving of £36,000.

3.     That Members debate the reduction of green waste sacks, and a reduction in the cost of the brown bin service.

4.     That Members agree to the development of an over-arching educational waste reduction campaign to encourage better recycling, and promote composting.

REASON FOR DECISION

To ensure the council provide value for money services.