Decision details

To consider information concerning the use of household waste recycling centres present on the Council's website.  The user guide/policy brings all the information together in one document.

The Head of Environmental Services presented the Household Waste Recycling Centre User guide/policy report that asked the Committee to adopt both documents.

The Committee were advised that the policy provided the council expectations as it moved to appoint a new contract on the 1 April 2023.  There would be an update to this Committee at the September meeting on the award of the new contract,

The Committee were given the opportunity to ask any questions.  The question of whether household waste and recycling centres needed to be open 7-days a week was asked.  The Head of Environmental Services noted that some facilities did open less than 7-days a week and this had worked well.  A review of the efficiency of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in 2016 led to reduced opening hours based on user info and when the peaks were.  The data showed that school closing times and lunchtime on weekdays were peaks and that when closure days were looked into there was no significant saving because each site is sub-contracted so there would be no significant staff saving costs.  This could be an area of review beyond current contract, the Committee were in agreement with this.

There was a query about the type of plastic that could be taken to household waste and recycling centres, the Head of Environmental Services confirmed that under the current contract it was plastic bottles only, however the kerbside collection was the focus for plastic recycling as all plastic could be taken.

The Committee queried how much revenue was generated by the cost to residents to dispose of rubble, and any potential increased in rubble flytipping as a result of the charge.  The Head of Environmental Services advised that this charge made approximately £70k per annum revenue for the council, with the biggest benefit being the diversion of rubble to privately hired skips.  There had been no evidence of increase in flytipping.  The charge had taken into account opportunities for small traders who had no means to cheaply dispose of rubble.  The Committee noted that the new Government legislation might prevent this DIY disposal charge by local authorities in the future.

There was some discussion about the possibility of including further expectations on safe driving within the charter based on anecdotal evidence given about irresponsible driving witnessed at Macclesfield.  The Head of Environmental Services noted this was something that could be considered as part of the new contract.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the user guide/policy and customer charter be approved for adoption.