Agenda item

Report of the Director of Services

The Head of Community Services presented the report to Members highlighting how recycling performance was measured, comparisons with other local authorities in Leicestershire and issues that affect recycling levels.  He explained that North West Leicestershire was not a poor performing authority and that statistics provided evidence of that, but he assured Members that he would still continue to make improvements to the service and referred Members to the next steps as detailed within the report.  He added that the Leicestershire Waste Partnership was looking at the recycling of food waste but it was in the very early stages and not near implementation yet.

Councillor A C Saffell felt that there was a problem with the way household recycling was monitored and gave himself as an example.  As he lived by himself he did not put his bin out for every collection as it often was not full, therefore it could look like he did not recycle.  The Waste Services Development Officer explained that waste was monitored over three collections and an average was taken, this was due to households not always presenting their bins.  He added that demographics were also used when making comparisons and then particular areas could be targeted; the current area being looked at was Greenhill.

Councillor N Smith asked what was being done about people who refused to recycle as he was aware that they could not fine individuals.  He referred to a resident in his ward that had refused to move away from solid fuel and as it generated a lot of waste, asked if there was any kind of allowance available to encourage people to move away from solid fuel.  He also added that he had a food cone in his garden which was excellent which he obtained from Leicestershire County Council.  The Head of Community Services confirmed that the Council could not impose fines for not recycling but they did focus on educating people and targeting the lower performing areas.  He reported that officers go into schools to educate the children on recycling and this has proven to be a good way of getting the message across.  Regarding any kind of allowance to move away from solid fuel, the Head of Community Services was not aware of anything but would look into it.

Councillor N Clarke thanked officers for the amount of time spent on trying to improve recycling performance as he could see that a lot of work was being undertaken but he still had concerns that targets were not being reached.  He understood that the District’s solid fuel waste was higher than most but when compared with South Derbyshire District Council which was very similar, their performance was better.  The Head of Community Services explained that South Derbyshire District Council mixed green waste with food waste which was why they achieved better targets.  Unfortunately, North West Leicestershire District Council could not do this as the refuse site was an open facility which would encourage vermin.  In response to a further question from Councillor N Clarke, the Head of Community Services explained that food waste was not included within the future steps as it was reliant on the Leicestershire Partnership due to the financial implications.

Councillor N Clarke commented that the report suggested that the reduction in recycling credits would make an impact and asked if it would also affect the targets.  The Head of Community Services explained that the District no longer received credits for garden waste as Leicestershire County Council had directed how they wanted the waste removed.  Discussions were currently being had regarding dry waste and if the decision was made to direct the District as to the removal of this also,  it would result in the loss of further credits as well as the income received from source separating.  If this happened the Council would need to look at the benefits that could be gained from co-mingling recyclable materials.

The Waste Services Development Officer agreed to keep Councillor N Clarke informed of any targeting activities happening in Greenhill as it was his ward and he wanted to go along.

Councillor Ashman asked for the decision timescale on the credits for dry waste collections and food waste recycling.  The Head of Community Services reported that the credit issue should be decided by September and the food waste collection was an ongoing issue as it was reliant on the Leicestershire Waste Partnership.

Regarding the solid fuel waste, Councillor J Geary felt that the Council should be putting pressure on the service providers to install a gas supply to the rural areas as it did not only produce waste but was expensive and inconvenient.  The Head of Community Services suggested that as the issue seemed important to Members then in accordance with the Constitution they could call in agencies to put questions to them, this is something they could do for this issue.  Members agreed on the approach.

It was moved by Councillor J Geary, seconded by Councillor N Smith and

RESOLVED THAT:

a)    The report be noted.

b)    The next steps as detailed at paragraph 5 of the report be endorsed.