Issue - meetings

To give consideration to a report describing the transformation of waste and recycling collection services and explaining its impact on the Council and its residents.

Ray Skipp attended to provide a report describing the transformation of waste and recycling collection centres and its subsequent impact on the Council and its residents.

It was explained how Cheshire East’s current recycling figure was at 50%, meaning that the central government target for 2020 had already been met. Having said this, it was reported how the service wanted to keep improving this figure and that to achieve this, a ‘step change’ in practice would be required. In accepting this, the service had carried out a full review which found that there was a need to rationalise the services provided, create flexibility in service provision and optimise the resources at Cheshire East’s disposal. It was reported how the review had led to a redesign of collection methods and routes which would be implemented in two phases. Phase 1 would be implemented from the southern depot at Pyms Lane, Crewe from 9 May 2011 with phase 2 being implemented from the northern depot at Commercial Road, Macclesfield from 3 October 2011.

Ray Skipp continued to explain as part of the roll out of both phases, there would be a comprehensive communications plan for each phase which would take into consideration the target audience, the key messages needed, the channels of communication required and the main risks to its success.

After considering the report in detail, Members outlined a number of comments and queries.

With reference to paragraph 5.1, it was suggested that the phase ‘figure would rise by’ should be replaced by ‘figure should rise to’ as this would prevent the figures quoted as savings from being misleading.

With reference to paragraph 8.4.7 in which it was stated that the contract for landfill disposal at Maw Green was soon to be considered for replacement or extension was questioned. It was asserted that the residents affected by this were under the impression that the landfill contract would end indefinitely in 2016. Ray Skipp noted that it was his understanding that the current contract was due to run until 2012 with an option to extend to 2014. The Committee were reassured that the correct contractual situation would be sought and subsequently communicated to residents. It was suggested that whilst this would be useful, it would be most appropriate to consult with residents if any change to current arrangements were to be considered.

A concern was raised over whether the sorting firm in Deeside would be prepared to pick up all of Cheshire East’s non-separated waste. This concern was expressed due to a recent Community and Local Government departmental report which had stated that some recycling firms had rejected some waste and put it in landfill, an obvious issue for local authorities who could be fined for going over-quota. It was explained that the contract with the Deeside firm stipulated that waste must be recycled and not put in landfill so this was not seen to be an issue.

It was also expressed that more clarity was required in terms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85