Agenda item

To consider a report (copy enclosed) by the Head of Highways, Facilities and Environmental Services which presents the findings of the Wales Audit Office’s (WAO) review of the Council’s approach in relation to applying the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to its proposed changes to the waste collection service, along with the Council’s response to the WAO’s findings.

12pm – 12.30pm

The Lead Member for Waste, Transport and Environment, Councillor Brian Jones, Head of Highways and Environmental Services, Tony Ward and Wales Audit Office (WAO) representative Jeremy Evans were in attendance for the item.

Head of Highways, Facilities & Environmental Services (HHFES) introduced the report (previously circulated) to provide information regarding the report by the WAO on the steps the Council was taking to revise household waste collection and how those steps supported the corporate priority of delivering an attractive and protected environment and aligned with the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The WAO report outlined some areas of improvement, the HHFES stated his role was to respond to those highlighted areas. The proposed improvements had been considered, with some elements already being worked upon. One concern had been the current budget, funding for improvement would be difficult. Work would be completed within the current waste service resources and budget. 

Jeremy Evans (WAO) explained to members the reason why the report had been produced. He stated a number of positives had been observed during the report these included; potential wider benefits, established collaborations and involvement of local residents. The areas of improvement that had been suggested had included a longer term strategy.    

During discussion the following points were raised:

·         Communication was vital to the delivery of the changes to the service. Involvement with residents and other organisations would be important to the smooth transition.

·         Educating children from a young age was agreed to be vital in the understanding of the importance of recycling and the reduction of plastic use and the Council’s carbon footprint. Key working with schools would be required.

·         Waste from schools needed to be reviewed to work more effectively, with better recycling. It was confirmed a website which provided information on where Denbighshire waste goes existed. The HHES would clarify that the link for the website was available through Denbighshire County Council Website. 

• The sustainability of longer-term waste strategy had to incorporate the emerging new strategies from the Welsh Government. The new strategies had not been made clear to date, when clarification was provided they would be included in the strategy. The new model had been designed to be more sustainable with the ability to response to new strategies. The WAO report had encouraged the Council to look at and review the future sustainability of the strategy as part of the report. Confirmation was provided that the new strategy would be presented to scrutiny at a future date.

The committee thanked the WAO officer and the HHFES for the positive report and welcomed the report on the strategy when completed.       

At the conclusion of the discussion the Committee:

Resolved: - following consideration of the findings of the Wales Audit Office (WAO) and subject to the above observations, to confirm that it was satisfied with the Council’s response to the suggested opportunities for improvement identified within the WAO’s report.