Agenda item

To examine in detail the updated Waste Collections Policy. The progress of the new service roll out - specifically the impending implementation of the new AHP Service and update to waste service changes for non-standard households.

 

The Lead Member for Environment and Transport introduced the Waste Remodelling update to Members.

 

The new Waste Collection Service had been in planning for a number of years and was being introduced to enable Denbighshire to reach the new statutory target of recycling 70% of household waste set by Welsh Government. It was vitally important that the new service was introduced to contribute to tackling climate change.

 

It is anticipated that construction of the new waste depot in Denbigh will be complete by the end of Autumn 2023, with the new Waste Service being rolled out from March 2024 (subject to receiving the necessary licence from Natural Resources Wales to enable legal operation from the depot). There were also financial benefits to the new Waste Service being rolled out due the cost of collecting recycling from blue bins under the current service significantly increasing.

 

The Corporate Director: Economy and Environment stated that the report (previously circulated) provided Members with the opportunity to scrutinise the updated Waste Collections Policy. In addition, it provided updates regarding the roll out of the new Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) service and the changes for non-standard households.

 

The report also included details of the current Waste Service and the new Waste Service.

 

Members were advised that:

 

·       The new Waste Service had an anticipated roll out date from March 2024. However, this was subject to receiving the necessary licence from Natural Resources Wales to enable legal operation from the depot.

·       From Autumn 2023 the new AHP Service would be rolled out to a targeted pilot area covering the LL16/ LL17 postcodes. The areas would capture around 1000 subscribers, providing a mix of rural, town and urban areas prior to the whole County roll out when the main service change took place in 2024.

·       Denbighshire had several households on a `non-standard service` i.e. either a communal or sack service. This was due to vehicle access issues and the properties container storage spaces being limited. The non-standard households in Denbighshire were being reviewed.

·       The new Waste Service Model agenda item would be returning to the Communities Scrutiny Committee in October 2023 to discuss further details of the main service roll out.

Members had previously received detailed explanations on the new Waste Service, the roll out and the new services incorporated within it, therefore the Corporate Director opened the discussion to Members in agreement with the Chair.

 

The Chair thanked the Corporate Director: Economy and Environment for their update and questions were welcomed from Committee Members.

 

Members asked whether Officers were engaging with Town, City and Community Councils to demonstrate how the new trolley boxes would work. It was felt that this would aid the understanding of residents when the new service was rolled out. The Waste and Recycling Manager informed Members that the new Waste Service agenda item had been scheduled to go to all MAG meetings then further discussions would be held with the Project Team. The Corporate Director informed members that they would work on the detail of engaging with Town, City and Community Councils and inform Members in due course.

 

Members queried the rules and regulations of the new Waste Service and questioned whether fixed penalty enforcement would be used if residents did not comply. Members also asked how many penalty notices were issued under the existing Waste Service Model. The Waste and Recycling Manager informed Members that there were very few penalty notices distributed under the current service. There was a focus on behavioural change rather than fixed fines.  

 

At this juncture, the Chair paused the meeting to allow the Project Manager: Strategic Planning to join the meeting remotely.

 

Continuing, the Corporate Director referenced the previous question regarding enforcement. He stated that enforcement was the last resort, that they were primarily focused on education and engaging with residents, which would continue under the new Waste Service.

 

Members referred to paragraph 4.3 of the report (previously circulated) relating to the pilot AHP Scheme. Members questioned whether the postcodes chosen for the pilot scheme were the most beneficial areas for prior learning before the main roll out of the scheme. The Waste and Recycling Manager informed Members that the areas selected for the pilot scheme were a mixture of town, urban and rural areas. The Planning Manager also explained that another factor for the postcodes being selected was that they were closer to Parc Adfer, which was the site where the waste would be disposed of.

 

Members asked how residents could apply to be part of the pilot scheme. The Planning Manager: Strategic Planning advised that email correspondence had been sent to Town Councils and information would be displayed on the Denbighshire County Council (DCC) website, including the registration form and terms and conditions. There were also information leaflets that had been delivered to libraries and One Stop Shops within those areas.

 

Members sought to clarify who would need to sign up for the AHP Service once it was fully rolled out. For example, if a Grandparent looked after their Grandchild once a week and they were in nappies, would they then be required to sign up to the service. The Planning Manager stated that the AHP Service was not currently open to the wider family and therefore it would be acceptable to put any AHP (small quantities) in the black bin. This would remain under active review following the pilot scheme.

 

Members referred to the new Battery Collection Service and questioned why disposable Vapes were not mentioned within the report. The Planning Manager informed Members that there were ongoing discussions to clarify if they were to be classed as batteries or small electrical items.

 

Members questioned collections under the new Waste Service for private and unadopted roads and if there were going to be any changes. The Waste and Recycling Manager stated that the new Service would entail new vehicles and new routes, and this would be re-evaluated to address the most suitable collection points for residents.

 

The Chair thanked the officers for their update and affirmed that it was very important to continue to educate residents and, Town, City and Community Councils of the changes to the Waste Recycling Model.

 

The Chair asked Officers if there was the opportunity to have a site visit to the new depot in the future. The Corporate Director agreed that this could be arranged.

 

Following an in-dept discussion it was-

 

RESOLVED: that the update on the new Waste Service Remodelling Project be received and noted.