Agenda item

Members are to receive a report on the Leicestershire Waste Strategy.

The Communities and Neighbourhoods Manager introduced the report and provided a presentation. Through the presentation, Members were informed that there are potential legislative changes with the key implications for Melton being: free weekly food waste collections; free garden waste collections and separate and standardised recycling collections.

The Committee was informed that weekly food waste collections would mean three additional rounds of collections. The current timescale is for implementation in 2023/24.

Members were informed that if the Council had to offer free garden waste collections, not only would there be a loss of £190k to deliver the existing collections, it would also include an addition two rounds of collection. However, it was noted that this is the least likely proposals to be adopted.

If the Government decided to standardise recycling collections nationally, then the Council would encounter difficulties with the current Casepak contract.

In terms of financial implications, the Committee was informed that the weekly food waste collections would involve an implementation cost of £500k plus costs of £450k per annum. The free garden waste collections would involve a loss of £190k plus an additional cost burden of £350k per annum. The recycling collections would involve an implementation cost of £500k plus additional running costs of £200k per annum.

The comment was made that, in light of other local authorities implementing food waste collections and the likelihood that food waste collections will be mandated by the Environment Bill, the implementation of a trial collection of food waste would be unnecessary. In response, it was stated that Officers had previously considered the introduction of a food waste collection hence why there is budget allocated, however if the proposal is mandated by legislation, then the new burdens funding would initially cover the entire cost of the service.

Following a query on where municipal waste ends up, the Committee was informed that discussions would take place with the waste disposal authority to ensure that there is proper oversight on the end point of municipal waste and to ensure that it is correctly treated and not dumped on another country to deal with.

A comment was made that because some residents have a small amount of food waste then it might be more beneficial to encourage composting. In response, the Members were informed that one of the reasons why a food waste collection service would be introduced is to make residents aware of the amount of waste they are throwing away and therefore reduce that amount over time. Regarding composting, the initiative had previously been trialled but, unfortunately, it was not as successful as anticipated.

The suggestion was made that the Council should discuss with the waste disposal authority the use of anaerobic digesters to manage the disposal of food waste.

Cllr Chandler stated that she believes that Biffa provides a good service to residents.

Following a question over garden waste collections, it was confirmed that if the proposal goes ahead, then the Council would have to provide the service at no charge to the resident. There would be new burdens funding available, however it would be doubtful if the Government would cover the existing cost or loss of revenue.

(At 7:58pm, before the consideration of this item, Councillor Bindloss entered the meeting.)

(At 7:59pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Child left the meeting and did not return.)

(At 8:05pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Evans left the meeting.)

(At 8:09pm, during the consideration of this item, Councillor Evans entered the meeting.)