Julie Rogers, Director of Environment and Highways, presented the report that provided an update on performance and challenges from the first seven months of implementation of the new service and the forward look in relation to the ongoing service provision. The report provided an overview of domestic waste collections following the implementation in May 2017, on the new methodology of a sweep system and new waste collection rounds which had impacted 79% of residents across the borough. Julie Rogers stated that the new service had seen greatest challenge and impact on Friday collections, any operational issues that occurred during the week had a rolling effect toward the latter part of the week.  She also advised that there needed to be some clarity for residents in relation to responsibility of communal bin stores, in particular landlord and Council responsibility where there was misuse of the store or contamination identified. Julie Rogers confirmed that these issues and concerns were being addressed as outlined in the report. Julie Rogers referred Members to Appendix A which focused on Recycling and addressing contamination and blocked access issues, this reflected the work being undertaken within the service and the communications team in relation to promotion, advertising and educating residents on how best to recycle.

Julie Rogers introduced Claire Harvey, Environment Frontline Service Manager, to her first Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Cherry noted a mistake in the report that the waste collection operation would sweep across the borough from West to East when in fact the service would sweep from East to West. Julie Rogers apologised for the error.

Councillor Collins questioned the blocked access on a number of roads and how these were being resolved. Julie Rogers stated that this is an ongoing challenge encouraging residents to park more considerately, to enable the waste vehicles to access and complete collections.  In some cases the Council had written to residents, knocked on doors asking residents to move vehicles and consider where they were parking.  If a waste vehicle could not access the road, it is likely a fire engine would not either. She advised that referral were also being made to Highways colleagues to consider traffic management of these areas and to look at how best these issues could be addressed.

Councillor Cherry asked whether there was any evidence of any fuel costs savings. Julie Rogers stated that due to the fluctuation of fuel costs this was hard to evidence at this time but with new service vehicles being introduced in February 2018 these should make some difference on fuel savings.

Councillors Collins asked what would happen to the old service vehicles. Julie Rogers stated that four of the fleet vehicles had new engines installed and would be used for resilience. Otherwise the vehicles would likely be auctioned.

Councillor Kent questioned whether with the increase of new properties in the borough had the targets been met to try and provide the service more effectively. Julie Rogers stated that the route optimisation now covered 300 additional new properties which resulted in an increase of 900 collections, she also advised that due to the excellent sales work in relation to trade waste there had been a significant increase in collections for this stream, there would also be an ongoing need to increase capacity as the growth and proposed circa 30,000 new properties were built in the borough.

RESOLVED

That the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members considered and noted the report.